New appeal over 1975 shooting of bus inspector in Belfast
A new appeal for information has been made about the shooting of a bus inspector in Belfast more than half a century ago.
The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), is investigating the death of Alex Millar at work in May 1975.
Mr Millar was a 54-year-old Citybus inspector and father of four.
No one ever claimed the killing.
ICRIR assistant commissioner, Amanda Logan said Mr Millar’s family had requested an investigation “to find the truth about his death”.
She said: “Alex was killed more 50 years ago and for all this time the Millar family have carried the pain of their loss.
“In many of our investigations the smallest details have proven vitally important.
“There may be people who witnessed the events of that day and have lived with their memories for over half a century.
“If you saw or heard anything that relates to Alex’s death, I encourage you to come forward to the Commission and share what you know.”
At approximately 2.40pm on Friday May 2 1975, Mr Millar was working in the Timekeepers’ office at the former Ardoyne Citybus depot at the junction of Cranbrook Avenue and Ardoyne Road.
Two gunmen entered the bus depot and shot him several times.
After the attack, the gunmen were seen entering a waiting blue vehicle on Cranbrook Avenue.
Mr Millar was critically injured and later died at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
On the same evening an 18-year-old man was shot at Alliance Avenue and was seriously injured but survived.
The ICRIR said this is believed to be linked to the shooting of Mr Millar earlier that day.
The Commission is also interested in the movements of a yellow Ford Cortina in Tyndale Grove in the weeks leading up to the incident.
Ms Logan said the Millar family, along with many others the ICRIR is working with, deserve answers.
She said: “In many cases, families who lost loved ones during the Troubles/Conflict are still waiting for the truth.
“The Commission’s job is to correct that and this appeal for information is critical to providing answers for Alex’s family.”
The witness appeal will involve distributing posters and an organised leaflet drop in the areas relating to the investigation.
The ICRIR was established by the previous government’s Legacy Act to investigate outstanding Troubles deaths.
The Labour Government’s new Legacy Bill, agreed as part of a joint framework with the Irish Government, will put in place a reformed Legacy Commission with enhanced powers.