Shooting
An off-duty anti-terrorist[2] member of the RUC's Divisional Mobile Support Unit (DMSU) from Comber, James Allen Moore (24) would enter the Falls Road office at around 1:15 p.m. and would open fire on the workers and civilians inside, shooting a total of five people, killing three.[1][3]
While Moore attempted to leave a stalwart from the neighboring Green Cross Art Shop, Marguerite Gallagher attempted to prevent him from leaving, she held on to him until Moore got to his car where Moore pushed her off of him.[4]
At around 1:30 p.m. people trying to give aid to the wounded were assaulted by responding officers, resulting in a pregnant woman punched in her stomach with a riffle butt.[1]
After making a phone call to the RUC from a pub to claim responsibility,[2] Moore drove around 15 miles to Lough Neagh, where he would commit suicide.[1]
Victims
The attack would result in the deaths of Patrick ‘Pat’ McBride (41), Michael O'Dwyer (21), and Patrick ‘Paddy’ Loughran (61).[1][3]
Two people were severely wounded during the attack those being Patrick ‘Pat’ Wilson (28) and Norah ‘Kate’ Larkin.[1]
Legacy
On the shootings 25th anniversary in 2017, then Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams would criticize the British government, saying "The attack on the Falls Road Sinn Fein office, like other similar attacks, were part of British government counter insurgency strategies aimed at suppressing dissent to British rule."[5]
