The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery is issuing an appeal for information as part of the investigation into the deaths of Eric and Desmond Guiney in May 1981.
Eric was a 45-year-old milk man and a father of four children.
At 6.10am on Tuesday 5 May 1981 Eric, and his 14-year-old son Desmond were travelling along the Antrim Road in his milk float when it was attacked with bricks and missiles. It was publicly reported at the time that rioting had broken out that morning following the death of Bobby Sands.
During the attack, Eric’s milk float collided with a concrete lamp post on the Antrim Road at its junction with Duncairn Avenue, opposite the New Lodge Road.
Emergency services attending a fire at the Phoenix Bar, went to the aid of Eric and
Desmond. They were subjected to a volley of missiles being thrown at the milk float as they tried to rescue Eric and Desmond. Desmond died of his injuries three days after the incident. Eric died the day after his son’s funeral on 13 May 1981.
The Commission is appealing to anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward to assist the investigation and help provide answers to the Guiney family.