This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7135506.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Memorial to murdered musicians Memorial to murdered band members
(about 3 hours later)
The members of the Miami Showband murdered by loyalists in 1975 are to be commemorated with a memorial in Dublin. Members of the Miami Showband murdered by loyalists in 1975 are to be commemorated with a memorial in Dublin.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will unveil the piece dedicated to the band outside the National Ballroom in Parnell Square North in a lunchtime ceremony. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will unveil a monument to the band outside the National Ballroom in Parnell Square North in a lunchtime ceremony.
It will be in memory of band members, Tony Geraghty, Fran O'Toole and Brian McCoy who were shot by a UVF gang at Buskhill, Newry. It will be in memory of band members, Tony Geraghty, Fran O'Toole and Brian McCoy who were shot dead by a UVF gang at Buskhill, Newry.
The musicians' van was stopped by the gang at a bogus checkpoint. The attack happened after their van was stopped at a bogus checkpoint.
While the band members were lined up outside, two UVF men attempted to plant a bomb in the van.
It exploded prematurely killing the would-be bombers. The rest of the gang then opened fire on the band members, killing three of them.
During the 60s and 70s showbands were without a doubt the most effective fighting force against sectarianism on this island Stephen TraversSurvived attack
Two surviving members of the band, Des McAlea and Stephen Travers, will attend the unveiling of the memorial.
Mr Travers said it was a fitting way to remember his bandmates.
"We mustn't forget that during the 60s and 70s showbands were, without a doubt, the most effective fighting force against sectarianism on this island," he said.
Three band members were shot dead after a van bomb exploded
"They were a great antidote to the poison of the bigots and the evil of the people who tried to drive a wedge between the communities."
Margaret Irwin from the Dublin-based victims' group, Justice for the Forgotten, has campaigned for the memorial.
"It is going to be a very important event for the families who have looked forward to this for quite a long time," she said.
"It is reinforced by the fact that members of the families will travel from Canada and from South Africa."
The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Paddy Bourke, will accompany the taoiseach at the unveiling of the limestone, bronze and granite piece created by Donegal artist Redmond Herrity.The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Paddy Bourke, will accompany the taoiseach at the unveiling of the limestone, bronze and granite piece created by Donegal artist Redmond Herrity.
The event will also include an inter-denominational prayer service led by Father Brian D'Arcy and the Reverend Robert Dean, a Church of Ireland Minister from Swords.