Newry: Service held to remember RUC officers killed in IRA attack

A service of reflection has been held in Newry to remember nine RUC officers killed during an IRA attack 40 years ago.

Victims' relatives, survivors and the PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher, as well as senior Garda representatives, were in attendance.

The IRA mortar attack on the RUC's Corry Square base in the town took place on 28 February 1985.

It resulted in the highest ever death toll suffered by the RUC in a single incident - nine officers - seven men and two women - were killed and almost 40 others were injured.

'A scene of carnage'

Bill Stewart is the former RUC Divisional Commander for Newry.

He told BBC News NI that he remembers the communications officer in Newry phoning him to say that there had been a mortar attack and that there were "bodies all over the yard".

"The way he said it .. it was quite impactive. I turned and went immediately back to Newry station and was met with a scene of carnage and death," he said.

"I'm privileged to be here to mark the passing of fine officers," he added.

"I don't think they will ever be forgotten about here. There was a comradeship and a bond of friendship here that hasn't disappeared," he said.

In a statement prior to the event on Sunday, Kenny Donaldson, director of the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) said the "scale of loss for the policing family was hugely significant".

"This was a callous attack on not only innocent police personnel but also upon our system of law and order," he added.