Northern Ireland

Five Accused of Senator Fox Murder – On This Day in 1974

Billy Fox was the only member of the Oireachtas killed during the Troubles

Senator Billy Fox
Senator Billy Fox was murdered in March 1974
By Cormac Moore
March 28 1974

Five men were charged in Dublin’s Special Criminal Court yesterday with the murder of Senator Billy Fox on March 11.

The five, all from County Monaghan, are Sean Kinsella (28) and his 24-year-old brother Michael; Sean McGettigan (19), George McDermott (20) and James McPhillips (26). All had addresses in Clones, near where the Senator was found shot dead earlier this month.

The 35-year-old died as he approached a farmhouse at Tirconney where he was going to spend the evening.

The five men appeared at the Special Criminal Court earlier this month charged with maliciously setting fire to the house and caravan of Richard and George Coulson; with illegal possession of firearms, and with membership of the IRA.

They were remanded in custody yesterday until May 20 when they are due to stand trial on those charges and that of murdering Senator Fox.

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Two Army Land Rovers, each carrying troops, escorted the black police van which took the five accused to the courthouse.
The five men were subsequently convicted of the murder of Billy Fox, the only member of the Oireachtas to be killed during the Troubles.
No to May Day as Public Holiday

Northern Ireland has more public holidays than any other part of the UK and the Stormont Executive has decided not to add May Day to the list.

This was announced in the Assembly yesterday by Finance Minister Mr Herbert Kirk, replying to SDLP member Mr Des Gillespie, who asked that May Day should be proclaimed a holiday “in view of the fact that it is a traditional day for workers of all political and religious beliefs to get together”.

Mr Kirk said the Executive had decided – having regard to a number of factors including the present economic situation and the fact that there were more public holidays here than in any part of the UK – that such a step would not be appropriate at the present time. He explained that the addition of New Year’s Day to the holiday list had had to be negotiated under pay code regulations and any further applications would have to be submitted to the Prices and Incomes Board.
Although not granted then, May Day became a public holiday in Northern Ireland in 1978.