Shankill Bomb 30th Anniversary: Many people on the Falls Road felt ‘horror and revulsion’ at IRA attack, says Máiría Cahill

Two IRA men left a no warning bomb in Frizzell's fish shop on a busy Saturday which exploded at 1:06pm. The bomb - which only had an 11 second fuse - killed nine innocent shoppers and injured dozens more. One of the bombers was also killed. The IRA alleged it had been targeting UDA leaders who sometimes met above the shop.

The victims were the fish shop owner, John Frizzell, 63, his daughter Sharon McBride, 29, Michael Morrison, 27, his partner Evelyn Baird, 27, their daughter, Michelle, seven, George Williamson, 63, Gillian Williamson, 49, Wilma McKee, 38, and Leanne Murray, 13.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and former SDLP MP for west Belfast Joe Hendron were among those who attended the church service, while several hundred people lined the Shankill Road.

"I was here for the 25th anniversary and in a way it is poignant to be back for the 30th anniversary,” Máiría told the News Letter.

She was particularly impacted by how young the children's choir was that sang at the church service.

"But that is a reality check on how young some of those victims of the Shankill Bomb were.”

Leanne Murray was only 13 and Michelle Williamson was only seven-years-old, and the rector named all those who died and highlighted those who had been orphaned by the attack, she added.

"The Shankill bomb was an horrendous despicable act.”

There was a significant cross community contingent taking tea with the Shankill families after the service.

"I have spent years coming back and forth to Westkirk church," she added. "I have friends who preach here and friends who come and have a cup of tea with me here. I've been here for years meeting with people and talking with them quietly."

She noted the commemorative 30th anniversary booklet contained a variety of messages of support, including one from someone from the Falls Road.

"And that echoes the horror and revulsion that was felt on that day too. Not everybody supported the IRA. Coming particularly from the background and community that I come from, it's important to come and share in people's grief and, you know, try and support them as best you can."

SDLP veteran Joe Hendron, now aged 90, also attended the service.

At the time of the bomb he was the MP for west Belfast, and he attended the bomb scene the morning afterwards.

"It was a terrible slaughter of those innocent people. There were very big crowds, some people in prayer and some angry as well."

He tries to attend the service each year.

"It was just a beautiful service, I felt like Jesus Christ was there," he said. "I felt very much at home. What happened was horrific and shouldn't have happened, but they [the victims] will never be forgotten."