“Trick or Treat” social media image described as “disgraceful” in the lead up to Greysteel massacre anniversary

A South Derry group linked to the UDA has been criticised for their “totally sick and twisted” post days before the Greysteel massacre anniversary.

The UPRG is said to be an advisory body to the loyalist paramilitary group.

The “South Londonderry-Tyrone UPRG” page shared a Facebook post about Halloween with the words ‘trick or treat’, adding ‘stay safe at Halloween’.

The page has since been taken down. 

ABOVE: Post from “South Londonderry-Tyrone UPRG” page on Facebook

This has been interpreted by some as a reference to the Greysteel massacre.

East Derry MLA Cara Hunter shared her opinion on her Facebook page saying: “Absolutely disgraceful post, totally sick and twisted. The pain and the loss of the Greysteel massacre is felt everyday in Greysteel, a post like this shows a complete disregard for victims and their families.”

Kenny Donaldson, South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) Director stated: “If this was purposely posted to connect with the murderous outrage of The UDA/UFF in Greysteel at Hallowe’en then it is sick and beyond twisted.

“And even if the motive was not directly to offend and hurt Greysteel families it is nevertheless an act of grievous misjudgement.

“It is akin to Barry McElduff walking around with the loaf of Kingsmill on his head. This is the same type of activity and must be called out.

“The post should be immediately deleted and an apology made to the Greysteel families - who are decent people whose loved ones were innocents murdered in so-called retaliation for the Shankill massacre.

“The killers weren’t avenging or defending the Shankill families, they didn’t do what they did in the name of those families. No, they engaged in sectarian when ethnic motivated murder - bringing further heartache.

“Our thoughts, prayers and continued support are with the families of Greysteel,” concluded Mr Donaldson.

31 years ago on October 30 1993, two loyalist UDA gunmen opened fire on civilians in the County Derry bar The Rising Sun, killing eight and wounding 19. A third gunman, armed with a shotgun, stood guard outside the bar.

The atrocity came just days after a Provisional IRA bomb killed nine people at a fish shop on the Shankill Road in Belfast, and was regarded as a retaliatory attack by loyalists. One of the IRA bombers was also killed in the Shankill Road blast.

The massacre affected both sides of the community. Six Catholics and two Protestants were killed or injured. 

Those killed in the attack were: Karen Thompson (19) and her boyfriend, Stephen Mullan (20); Joseph McDermott (60); Moira Duddy (59); John Moyne (50); John Burns (54), Victor Montgomery (76) and the oldest victim, James Moore (81).

Seven died at the scene, while Mr Montgomery died some months later.