A Date In History I - 2nd August PIRA Murders of RUC Officers

There have been a few times in the course of this project when I have thought that the PIRA murders committed across the decades looked particularly poignant when listed together in an “On This Day” format. Looking at the cases in this format can also prove instructive when it comes to PIRA tactics. As I prepared tweets for 2nd August I thought that date was just one of those days, particularly when it came to the PIRA campaign against the RUC. 1978 Shot on Duty - Reserve Constable John Lamont Reserve Constable John Lamont 21 year old John Lamont was on beat duty in George Street Ballymena. He had just escorted a young female officer back to the station after she had patrolled the town. Shortly before midnight a car pulled up behind him which had been hijacked in Toomebridge and he was short four times. Reserve Constable Lamont was given first aid by customers at the nearby Coach and Horses bar but was dead on arrival at Waveney Hospital. ...