TUV condemns Michelle O’Neill over commemoration for IRA man linked to killing of Ballymena mum

The aftermath of the Ballymena Bombing, an IRA firebombing attack that killed 27-year-old mother of three Yvonne Dunlop on 9 October 1976. The perpetrator, Thomas McElwee, subsequently starved himself to death on hunger strike. Pictured, Yvonne Dunlop.

TUV representatives have strongly criticised First Minister Michelle O’Neill after she attended a commemoration for IRA hunger striker Thomas McElwee, who was imprisoned for his involvement in the 1976 Ballymena firebombing in which mother-of-three Yvonne Dunlop was killed.

The criticism follows an event in Mid Ulster on Sunday, attended by Ms O’Neill and Sinn Féin representatives, marking McElwee’s death during the 1981 hunger strike.

For Ballymena, the controversy has reopened memories of one of the darkest days of the Troubles in the town — 9 October 1976, when Mrs Dunlop died after a Provisional IRA incendiary device exploded inside her family’s clothes shop in Bridge Street.

‘A deep and lasting scar on Ballymena’

North Antrim MP Jim Allister said the killing continued to resonate in the town almost 50 years later.

“The murder of Yvonne Dunlop has left a deep and lasting scar on Ballymena. Those alive at the time remember it vividly while ironically new generations learn of the IRA’s depravity every year due to the twisted Republican obsession with commemorating McElwee.

“This is far from the first time when Michelle O’Neill has been called out for commemorating this monster. In fact, on the day she was shamefully elevated to the position of First Minister by the DUP agreeing to partner her in government I reminded the Stormont chamber of exactly these sorts of commemorations of the vile McElwee.”

TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston contrasted Ms O’Neill’s attendance with the Executive Office’s work on ending violence against women and girls.

“For months we have been told that the flagship policy of the Executive Office is ending violence against women and girls. Yet here we have the joint head of that Office commemorating a man who killed a woman.

“That is the sort of twisted and depraved government Stormont has brought us. However, with every event of this nature there are a growing number of people who are turning against Stormont as an institution and the central role which people like Michelle O’Neill have been gifted within it.”

TUV questions First Minister’s attendance

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill pictured at the event in Bellaghy, commemorating the 45th anniversary anniversary of the death of the convicted terrorist Thomas McElwee. (Photo: Sinn Féin Bellaghy)

TUV Cookstown representative Timothy Hagan also criticised Ms O’Neill’s participation in Sunday’s event.

“Last Sunday saw another demonstration of why Sinn Fein/IRA remain unfit for government as Michelle O’Neill took part in an event commemorating Thomas McElwee in Mid Ulster.

“A handful of Republicans gathered in a graveyard to pay tribute to a man who was only ever in the Maze because of his role in the firebomb attack which claimed the life of 26 year old mother of three Yvonne Dunlop.

“Among those who gathered were convicted IRA terrorist Ian Milne and Emma Sheerin who gave an address.

“Most telling, however, was the presence of the self style ‘First Minister for all’, Michelle O’Neill. One cannot claim to represent all the people of Northern Ireland and spend your Sunday lauding someone who robbed a family of a wife and a mother as a hero.”

Mid Ulster TUV branch chairman Glenn Moore said commemorations of those involved in Troubles-era violence risked sending the wrong message to younger generations.

“The people of Mid Ulster are not strangers to the glorification of Republican terrorists. However, given the nature of McElwee’s crimes this is particularly obnoxious. Northern Ireland is never going to move on until we reach a point where there is thought and consideration for victims of terrorism. Glorifying a character like this sends completely the wrong message to the upcoming generation.”

What happened to Yvonne Dunlop?

Yvonne Dunlop was a 27-year-old Protestant civilian, married with three children, from Wilson Crescent in Ballymena.

She was killed on 9 October 1976 during a wave of Provisional IRA firebomb attacks in Ballymena when an incendiary device exploded at the Alley Katz boutique in Bridge Street.

Mrs Dunlop was helping in the shop, which was owned by her father, and her young son was with her when the device was discovered.

Her nine-year-old son escaped after his mother shouted a warning, but Mrs Dunlop was unable to get out of the burning building.

Her mother later recalled the final moments before the explosion:

“Yvonne knew I would soon be arriving to take over from her in the boutique. She had just gone to the back of the shop when she shouted, ‘there’s a bomb, get out’. Then suddenly, the whole place burst into flames. Her son escaped with just his hair singed but my daughter didn’t have a chance.”

McElwee was subsequently imprisoned for his involvement in the Ballymena bombing. He was sentenced to 20 years for possession of explosives and the manslaughter of Mrs Dunlop.

While in the Maze Prison, he became involved in the blanket protest and later joined the 1981 hunger strike. He died on 8 August 1981, aged 23, after 62 days without food.

Sinn Féin pays tribute to McElwee

Convicted IRA murderer Thomas McIlwee

Following Sunday’s commemoration, a Sinn Féin Bellaghy social media post thanked those who had attended and described McElwee as “Vol Thomas McElwee”.

The post stated:

“Thank you to everyone who joined us today to pay tribute to Vol Thomas McElwee.

“Thanks also to the runners, bands, the piper, and all those who participated in the wreath laying ceremony, especially Emma Sheerin MLA, who gave a very thoughtful and fitting oration reflecting on the impact of his sacrifice on the generations that followed.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh anam.”

The attendance of Northern Ireland’s First Minister has now brought renewed political attention to the commemoration and, in Ballymena, to the lasting impact of the 1976 attack on the Dunlop family.

The controversy comes just months before the 50th anniversary of Mrs Dunlop’s death on 9 October — a milestone that will mark half a century since a young mother lost her life and three children were left without their mum.