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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
My music icon dad feared for life after killers' chilling question before murdering pals in vile ambush that broke him
THE son of Dickie Rock told how his famous father feared for his life after loyalist killers taunted bandmates before shooting them down in a hail of bullets by asking: 'Which one of you is Dickie Rock?" Thursday marks the 50th anniversary of the 7 Dickie Rock was left terrified after his bandmates were killed 7 Dickie Rock's son Jason said the evil attack impacted his dad greatly Credit: Paul Sharp - Commissioned by The Sun Dublin 7 Dickie had quit the group a few years before the horror Lead singer Fran O'Toole from Bray, Co Bass guitarist Stephen Travers and saxophone and keyboard player Des Lee were injured but survived. In a new Contacted by the Irish Sun, Dickie's son Jason revealed the ominous question had left his dad terrified. Dickie, who had quit the group to front his own band two and a half years before the horror, feared he would be next to be targeted by the murderers as he toured "There was somebody (standing guard) outside our house for years after, and my dad had protection everywhere he went. 'I remember aged ten, coming out of arrivals at "We had protection everywhere we went.' But the murder of his bandmates — who had been on their way home after a show at The Castle Ballroom, Banbridge, Co 'A LEGEND' RTE star leads tearful funeral tributes to late Dickie Rock Jason said: 'My mother would get very upset every time Dad left us to do a gig up north. But my dad's attitude was, 'F*** them. They're not stopping me.' 'But the one thing dad insisted on whenever he played up north was he wouldn't have the national anthem played at his gigs. "Whether it was the Amhran na bhFiann or God Save The Queen. Dad said, 'No way. We are not going to do anything political here. I'm here to entertain you and to send you home sweating.'' Jason said his father remained haunted by the murders of his bandmates right up to his death, last December, aged 88. STAR BROKEN Jason told us: 'I saw it break dad down in the final years. 'What bothered my dad the most, was that he had recruited some of the guys in the Miami, and that's why they were there that night. 'It really impacted him massively. Dad was the sort of person who would take things in and internalise the sadness and it sat heavy on his mind right to the end. 'The brutal murder of his friends was a very hard thing to get his head around.' 'VERY LUCKY TO HAVE ESCAPED' Stephen Travers, who was shot in the attack but survived, told The Irish Sun: 'Dickie was very lucky to have escaped the attack and I know he was devastated because he was such a good friend to Brian and Des. "Bands come and go, but the important legacy of the Miami Showband is we brought "Some of them even got married to one another'. 'My mother would get very upset every time Dad left us to do a gig up north. But my dad's attitude was, 'F*** them. They're not stopping me.'" Jason Rock Saxophonist Des, who was hit with shrapnel and almost burned to death, revealed what inspired the name of his new memoir, which was penned with LMFM presenter Ken Murray. He said that when the group were stopped by the fake army patrol at Buskhill, they had been asked to stand out on the road while their bus was searched. But Des returned to the van to show the SAXOPHONE SAVIOUR Moments later a bomb the terrorists were trying to plant on their bus went off prematurely. Des said: 'I was blown up and thrown into the field below. But if I had been standing where I was originally, I would have been blown to smithereens so my saxophone saved my life.' 'It really impacted him massively. Dad was the sort of person who would take things in and internalise the sadness and it sat heavy on his mind right to the end." Jason Rock He later moved to UVF terrorists Harris Boyle and Wesley Somerville, who planted the bomb, were killed instantly. Two serving members of the UDR were eventually convicted for their part in the attack. 7 Three band members were killed in the Miami Showband massacre Credit: 3 7 The 50th anniversary of the massacre takes place this week Credit: Pacemaker Press 7 The Miami Showband were a popular group in the 60s and 70s 7 A new tell-all book reveals life behind the scenes of the Miami Showband massacre
Belfast Telegraph
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
DUP minister vows commitment to all sports as he attends first senior GAA game
The DUP Sports Minister was welcomed to the Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Saturday afternoon for the gaelic football match between All-Ireland champions Armagh and Derry. Mr Lyons did not take his seat in the main stand until after the traditional pre-match singing of the Irish national anthem, Amhran na bhFiann. Arriving at the venue around 40 minutes before throw-in, he was greeted by senior Ulster GAA representatives, president Michael Geoghegan and chief executive officer Brian McAvoy. Mr Geoghegan and Mr McAvoy sat either side of the minister during the game. The DUP minister had faced criticism for not having attending a senior-level GAA match in his first 15 months as Communities Minister – a portfolio that includes responsibilities for sports in Northern Ireland. Speaking to reporters as he arrived at the ground, Mr Lyons said he wanted the focus of his visit to remain on the sporting action. 'Last week, I received an invite from Ulster GAA to come to the match here in Armagh today and I'm pleased to have been able to have accepted that invitation,' he said. 'As minister for sports in Northern Ireland I want to see more people get more active, more often, and I recognise the role that the GAA has to play in us achieving that ambition. 'I'm looking forward to engaging with officials, with players and with staff today, and I hope I am once more demonstrating my commitment to all sport in all areas, at all levels in Northern Ireland, and that's where the focus should be on today – on the sport.' Mr Geoghegan said it was a 'great day' for both the GAA and the minister. 'It's a great day for us, it's a great day for the minister,' he said. 'I believe he's going to see a full house here and going to see a very exciting game in the all-Ireland series. So we're delighted to have him as our guest here today.' Mr McAvoy said while it would have made it 'easier' if Mr Lyons had attended a game earlier in his time as minister, he acknowledged the issues he had coming to events on a Sunday. 'It probably would have been easier for both parties had it happened sooner,' he said. 'But we do understand the minister, that we play a lot of our games on a Sunday, and obviously due to his beliefs he doesn't attend any sporting events on a Sunday, and we respect that. 'So, it's good that we finally managed to synchronise diaries.' Mr Lyons' attendance comes ahead of an expected funding decision on the troubled redevelopment of the derelict GAA ground at Casement Park in west Belfast. Plans for a 34,000-capacity venue at Casement Park remain in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million. The £270 million project has faced years of delay due to disputes over planning and funding. Last September, the UK Government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time. The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million. The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month's UK-wide Spending Review. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. Mr Lyons, who has oversight for the project, has rejected claims he is not prioritising the rebuild, while Mr Benn has also pushed back at suggestions the impasse is the fault of the UK Government. The minister did not comment on the Casement issues as he spoke to the media on Saturday. Mr Geoghegan expressed hope that the UK Government would deliver a funding boost for the Casement rebuild. 'We're hopeful, the GAA public at large are very hopeful that something will be coming our way,' he said. 'Because, as you can see, we have a full stadium here today. We had a full stadium there a fortnight ago in Clones (for the Ulster Senior Football Championship final). 'The crowds are coming and we need better facilities to host our games.' Mr Lyons was not the first DUP politician to go to a GAA match. Former party leaders Peter Robinson and Arlene Foster attended games, and current DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and former communities minister and current Education minister Paul Givan have tried their hands at Gaelic games during visits to GAA clubs. Mr Lyons was also not the only Stormont minister at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday. Sinn Fein Infrastructure minister and Armagh fan Liz Kimmins was at the game, as were several other politicians, including Sinn Fein senator Conor Murphy and party MLA Cathal Boylan. SDLP MLA and former Armagh player Justin McNulty was also in the stands.
North Wales Chronicle
24-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
DUP minister vows commitment to all sports as he attends first senior GAA game
The DUP Sports Minister was welcomed to the Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Saturday afternoon for the gaelic football match between All-Ireland champions Armagh and Derry. Mr Lyons did not take his seat in the main stand until after the traditional pre-match singing of the Irish national anthem, Amhran na bhFiann. Arriving at the venue around 40 minutes before throw-in, he was greeted by senior Ulster GAA representatives, president Michael Geoghegan and chief executive officer Brian McAvoy. Mr Geoghegan and Mr McAvoy sat either side of the minister during the game. The DUP minister had faced criticism for not having attending a senior-level GAA match in his first 15 months as Communities Minister – a portfolio that includes responsibilities for sports in Northern Ireland. Speaking to reporters as he arrived at the ground, Mr Lyons said he wanted the focus of his visit to remain on the sporting action. 'Last week, I received an invite from Ulster GAA to come to the match here in Armagh today and I'm pleased to have been able to have accepted that invitation,' he said. 'As minister for sports in Northern Ireland I want to see more people get more active, more often, and I recognise the role that the GAA has to play in us achieving that ambition. 'I'm looking forward to engaging with officials, with players and with staff today, and I hope I am once more demonstrating my commitment to all sport in all areas, at all levels in Northern Ireland, and that's where the focus should be on today – on the sport.' Mr Geoghegan said it was a 'great day' for both the GAA and the minister. 'It's a great day for us, it's a great day for the minister,' he said. 'I believe he's going to see a full house here and going to see a very exciting game in the all-Ireland series. So we're delighted to have him as our guest here today.' Mr McAvoy said while it would have made it 'easier' if Mr Lyons had attended a game earlier in his time as minister, he acknowledged the issues he had coming to events on a Sunday. 'It probably would have been easier for both parties had it happened sooner,' he said. 'But we do understand the minister, that we play a lot of our games on a Sunday, and obviously due to his beliefs he doesn't attend any sporting events on a Sunday, and we respect that. 'So, it's good that we finally managed to synchronise diaries.' Mr Lyons' attendance comes ahead of an expected funding decision on the troubled redevelopment of the derelict GAA ground at Casement Park in west Belfast. Plans for a 34,000-capacity venue at Casement Park remain in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million. The £270 million project has faced years of delay due to disputes over planning and funding. Last September, the UK Government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time. The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million. The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month's UK-wide Spending Review. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. Mr Lyons, who has oversight for the project, has rejected claims he is not prioritising the rebuild, while Mr Benn has also pushed back at suggestions the impasse is the fault of the UK Government. The minister did not comment on the Casement issues as he spoke to the media on Saturday. Mr Geoghegan expressed hope that the UK Government would deliver a funding boost for the Casement rebuild. 'We're hopeful, the GAA public at large are very hopeful that something will be coming our way,' he said. 'Because, as you can see, we have a full stadium here today. We had a full stadium there a fortnight ago in Clones (for the Ulster Senior Football Championship final). 'The crowds are coming and we need better facilities to host our games.' Mr Lyons was not the first DUP politician to go to a GAA match. Former party leaders Peter Robinson and Arlene Foster attended games, and current DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and former communities minister and current Education minister Paul Givan have tried their hands at Gaelic games during visits to GAA clubs. Mr Lyons was also not the only Stormont minister at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday. Sinn Fein Infrastructure minister and Armagh fan Liz Kimmins was at the game, as were several other politicians, including Sinn Fein senator Conor Murphy and party MLA Cathal Boylan. SDLP MLA and former Armagh player Justin McNulty was also in the stands.
South Wales Argus
24-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
DUP minister vows commitment to all sports as he attends first senior GAA game
The DUP Sports Minister was welcomed to the Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Saturday afternoon for the gaelic football match between All-Ireland champions Armagh and Derry. Mr Lyons did not take his seat in the main stand until after the traditional pre-match singing of the Irish national anthem, Amhran na bhFiann. Arriving at the venue around 40 minutes before throw-in, he was greeted by senior Ulster GAA representatives, president Michael Geoghegan and chief executive officer Brian McAvoy. Gordon Lyons (second right) attends his first GAA match, the Armagh vs Derry Senior Football Championship at the Athletic Ground in Armagh (Peter Morrison/PA) Mr Geoghegan and Mr McAvoy sat either side of the minister during the game. The DUP minister had faced criticism for not having attending a senior-level GAA match in his first 15 months as Communities Minister – a portfolio that includes responsibilities for sports in Northern Ireland. Speaking to reporters as he arrived at the ground, Mr Lyons said he wanted the focus of his visit to remain on the sporting action. 'Last week, I received an invite from Ulster GAA to come to the match here in Armagh today and I'm pleased to have been able to have accepted that invitation,' he said. 'As minister for sports in Northern Ireland I want to see more people get more active, more often, and I recognise the role that the GAA has to play in us achieving that ambition. 'I'm looking forward to engaging with officials, with players and with staff today, and I hope I am once more demonstrating my commitment to all sport in all areas, at all levels in Northern Ireland, and that's where the focus should be on today – on the sport.' Mr Geoghegan said it was a 'great day' for both the GAA and the minister. 'It's a great day for us, it's a great day for the minister,' he said. 'I believe he's going to see a full house here and going to see a very exciting game in the all-Ireland series. So we're delighted to have him as our guest here today.' Gordon Lyons (right) is greeted by Michael Geoghegan, president of Ulster GAA, as he arrives at the Athletic Grounds (Peter Morrison/PA) Mr McAvoy said while it would have made it 'easier' if Mr Lyons had attended a game earlier in his time as minister, he acknowledged the issues he had coming to events on a Sunday. 'It probably would have been easier for both parties had it happened sooner,' he said. 'But we do understand the minister, that we play a lot of our games on a Sunday, and obviously due to his beliefs he doesn't attend any sporting events on a Sunday, and we respect that. 'So, it's good that we finally managed to synchronise diaries.' Mr Lyons' attendance comes ahead of an expected funding decision on the troubled redevelopment of the derelict GAA ground at Casement Park in west Belfast. Plans for a 34,000-capacity venue at Casement Park remain in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million. The £270 million project has faced years of delay due to disputes over planning and funding. Last September, the UK Government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time. DUP Sports Minister Gordon Lyons speaks to the media outside the Athletic Grounds (Peter Morrison/PA) The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million. The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month's UK-wide Spending Review. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. Mr Lyons, who has oversight for the project, has rejected claims he is not prioritising the rebuild, while Mr Benn has also pushed back at suggestions the impasse is the fault of the UK Government. The minister did not comment on the Casement issues as he spoke to the media on Saturday. Mr Geoghegan expressed hope that the UK Government would deliver a funding boost for the Casement rebuild. 'We're hopeful, the GAA public at large are very hopeful that something will be coming our way,' he said. 'Because, as you can see, we have a full stadium here today. We had a full stadium there a fortnight ago in Clones (for the Ulster Senior Football Championship final). 'The crowds are coming and we need better facilities to host our games.' Mr Lyons was not the first DUP politician to go to a GAA match. Former party leaders Peter Robinson and Arlene Foster attended games, and current DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and former communities minister and current Education minister Paul Givan have tried their hands at Gaelic games during visits to GAA clubs. Mr Lyons was also not the only Stormont minister at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday. Sinn Fein Infrastructure minister and Armagh fan Liz Kimmins was at the game, as were several other politicians, including Sinn Fein senator Conor Murphy and party MLA Cathal Boylan. SDLP MLA and former Armagh player Justin McNulty was also in the stands.
Leader Live
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
DUP minister vows commitment to all sports as he attends first senior GAA game
The DUP Sports Minister was welcomed to the Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Saturday afternoon for the gaelic football match between All-Ireland champions Armagh and Derry. Mr Lyons did not take his seat in the main stand until after the traditional pre-match singing of the Irish national anthem, Amhran na bhFiann. Arriving at the venue around 40 minutes before throw-in, he was greeted by senior Ulster GAA representatives, president Michael Geoghegan and chief executive officer Brian McAvoy. Mr Geoghegan and Mr McAvoy sat either side of the minister during the game. The DUP minister had faced criticism for not having attending a senior-level GAA match in his first 15 months as Communities Minister – a portfolio that includes responsibilities for sports in Northern Ireland. Speaking to reporters as he arrived at the ground, Mr Lyons said he wanted the focus of his visit to remain on the sporting action. 'Last week, I received an invite from Ulster GAA to come to the match here in Armagh today and I'm pleased to have been able to have accepted that invitation,' he said. 'As minister for sports in Northern Ireland I want to see more people get more active, more often, and I recognise the role that the GAA has to play in us achieving that ambition. 'I'm looking forward to engaging with officials, with players and with staff today, and I hope I am once more demonstrating my commitment to all sport in all areas, at all levels in Northern Ireland, and that's where the focus should be on today – on the sport.' Mr Geoghegan said it was a 'great day' for both the GAA and the minister. 'It's a great day for us, it's a great day for the minister,' he said. 'I believe he's going to see a full house here and going to see a very exciting game in the all-Ireland series. So we're delighted to have him as our guest here today.' Mr McAvoy said while it would have made it 'easier' if Mr Lyons had attended a game earlier in his time as minister, he acknowledged the issues he had coming to events on a Sunday. 'It probably would have been easier for both parties had it happened sooner,' he said. 'But we do understand the minister, that we play a lot of our games on a Sunday, and obviously due to his beliefs he doesn't attend any sporting events on a Sunday, and we respect that. 'So, it's good that we finally managed to synchronise diaries.' Mr Lyons' attendance comes ahead of an expected funding decision on the troubled redevelopment of the derelict GAA ground at Casement Park in west Belfast. Plans for a 34,000-capacity venue at Casement Park remain in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million. The £270 million project has faced years of delay due to disputes over planning and funding. Last September, the UK Government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time. The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million. The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month's UK-wide Spending Review. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. Mr Lyons, who has oversight for the project, has rejected claims he is not prioritising the rebuild, while Mr Benn has also pushed back at suggestions the impasse is the fault of the UK Government. The minister did not comment on the Casement issues as he spoke to the media on Saturday. Mr Geoghegan expressed hope that the UK Government would deliver a funding boost for the Casement rebuild. 'We're hopeful, the GAA public at large are very hopeful that something will be coming our way,' he said. 'Because, as you can see, we have a full stadium here today. We had a full stadium there a fortnight ago in Clones (for the Ulster Senior Football Championship final). 'The crowds are coming and we need better facilities to host our games.' Mr Lyons was not the first DUP politician to go to a GAA match. Former party leaders Peter Robinson and Arlene Foster attended games, and current DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and former communities minister and current Education minister Paul Givan have tried their hands at Gaelic games during visits to GAA clubs. Mr Lyons was also not the only Stormont minister at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday. Sinn Fein Infrastructure minister and Armagh fan Liz Kimmins was at the game, as were several other politicians, including Sinn Fein senator Conor Murphy and party MLA Cathal Boylan. SDLP MLA and former Armagh player Justin McNulty was also in the stands.
