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Giovanni Trapattoni's side face Italy in their final pool game on 18 June. ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan

Ireland to mark Loughinisland massacre with black armbands in Italy game

The match comes 18 years to the day sine six men were killed while watching the two countries play.

IRELAND’s EURO 2012 side have been given permission by European football chiefs to wear black armbands during their game with Italy in Poland next month.

The match against the Azzurri in Poznan on 18 June will mark 18 years exactly since six Catholic men were shot dead while watching Ireland beat Italy at USA ’94, in a pub in Loughinisland, Co Down.

Members of the UVF opened fire indiscriminately inside the Heights Bar during the famous Ray Houghton-inspired win at Giants Stadium.

“What happened in Loughinisland in 1994 was an awful tragedy and deeply moving for all football fans,” FAI chief, John Delaney said. “I would like to thank UEFA for assisting us in commemorating this atrocity and take the opportunity to remember all those who lost their lives in the Troubles.”

No one has been convicted of the killings.

Niall Murphy, solicitor for the families, said the relatives were moved by the gesture.

“We would like to thank the FAI and UEFA for their assistance in providing a forum to recall the awful event that took place on that fateful day when Ireland played Italy,” he said.

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11 Comments
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    Mute Eddie Barrett
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    May 17th 2012, 10:59 AM

    Excellent decision by FAI showing respect for the Fans and their Families.
    Well done all .

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    Mute Gavin Hoey
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    May 17th 2012, 11:01 AM

    It wasn’t a tragedy, John, it was an abomination.

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    Mute Owen Jennings
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    May 17th 2012, 11:02 AM

    Well done, glad to see they are bringing attention to this atrocity, may we remember the tragedy and perhaps renew efforts to find the murderers

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    Mute #voteNo to Austerity
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    May 17th 2012, 12:03 PM

    For all the criticism UEFA gets rightly and wrongly, allowing the black armbands is a decent gesture. Fair Play!

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    Mute Stephen Maher
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    May 17th 2012, 12:10 PM

    Proper order.

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    Mute Erna Merchant
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    May 17th 2012, 12:16 PM

    atrocity, may we remember the tragedy and perhaps renew efforts to find the murderers

    http://worldviplimo.com/

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    Mute Gearóid Oileabhard
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    May 17th 2012, 5:21 PM

    The FAI are paying respect to innocent Irish football fans who were gunned down by loyalist hit men while watching their national side play in the World Cup. Nobody cares who misinterprets this, it’s got absolutely nothing to do with English FA and their application to wear poppies on their jerseys or any world war !!!

    As already mentioned, credit must be given to UEFA for their permission and a huge thank you to our Football Association for their touching gesture .

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    Mute Paul Robinson
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    May 17th 2012, 5:07 PM

    well done all concerned. I hope Irish fans wear black armbands for the match too.

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    Mute James Walsh
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    May 17th 2012, 3:37 PM

    Hmmm. Tricky one this.

    While I understand the gesture and the atrocity was carried out against people watching the Ireland-Italy match, I could see this gesture being misinterpreted by certain people. After all when England wanted to wear poppies on their shirts to mark Armistice Day at a game last year FIFA refused permission and most people agreed with that.

    Not the most popular stance I know but I was supportive of FIFA’s ban last year so I don’t see how this is really any different.

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    Mute Gearóid Mac Gabhann
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    May 17th 2012, 3:48 PM

    Misinterpreted by whom? And I don’t think you can equate wearing black armbands to commemorate the murder of civilians at Loughinisland with the poppy, which has all sorts political connotations.

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    Mute Alvin Fitz
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    May 18th 2012, 5:10 AM

    Let them ‘misinterpret’ it all they want, tbh. None of their business whatsoever.

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