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© Copyright, Independent Commission for Reconciliation & Information Recovery 2025.

ICRIR launches witness appeal for Guiney family

Published:

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (the Commission) is investigating the deaths of Eric Guiney and his son Desmond who were attacked on the Antrim Road in Belfast on Tuesday 5 May 1981.

Following a request from their family, the Commission is appealing for witnesses to come forward to find the truth of what happened to Eric and Desmond.

Eric was a 45-year-old milk man and father of four. Desmond was his 14-year old son.

At 6.10am on Tuesday 5 May 1981, they were travelling along the Antrim Road in Eric’s milk float when the vehicle was attacked with bricks and missiles. It was reported at the time that rioting had broken out that morning following the death of Bobby Sands.

During the attack, the milk float collided with a concrete lamp post on the Antrim Road at its junction with Duncairn Avenue, opposite the New Lodge Road.

Eric’s son Desmond died of his injuries three days after the incident. Eric died the day after his son’s funeral on 13 May 1981.

Assistant Commissioner Amanda Logan is leading the Commission’s Investigations team and is urging anyone with information to come forward to help the Guiney family.

“The Commission is committed to delivering for all those who have come to us for help, and today the family of Eric and Desmond are uppermost in our thoughts.

“Any information you may hold, no matter how inconsequential it may seem, could be of critical importance to uncovering the truth.

“If you know anything about the circumstances that led to the deaths of Eric and Desmond, please share it with the Commission. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.”

The Assistant Commissioner added: “The Guiney family has waited more than four decades to learn the truth of what happened that day. At the Commission we will help them in every way we can, and I appeal to the public to assist us in this work.”

The witness appeal will involve distributing posters and an organised leaflet drop in the area relating to the investigation.

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