Overview
- Survivors Des Lee and Stephen Travers led prayers, hymns and personal testimonies at the roadside site near Newry and at commemorations in Newry and Dublin to mark the ambush’s 50th anniversary.
- Father Brian D’Arcy opened the main ceremony on Buskhill Road by celebrating “the survival of good, music and peace” in tribute to the three band members who were killed.
- First Minister Michelle O’Neill issued an official message commending the commemorations and urging society to move forward towards a peaceful, inclusive future.
- Des Lee accused the UK Government of neglecting Troubles legacy issues and vowed to continue seeking justice for Fran O’Toole, Tony Geraghty and Brian McCoy.
- Stephen Travers reflected on the band’s legacy of uniting Catholic and Protestant audiences and warned of the attackers’ plan to frame the group as terrorists.