Northern Ireland

Tributes to Armagh priest who unwittingly helped to convict IRA bomber

Fr Seamus Rice had been in Coalisland when an IRA bomber jumped into his car after being shot

Fr Seamus Rice's funeral will be held on Monday.
Fr Seamus Rice's funeral will be held on Monday.
By Allan Preston

The funeral of a well-known priest in Armagh who unwittingly became involved in the trial of a convicted IRA bomber will be held on Monday.

Fr Seamus Rice passed away peacefully at home on Friday, with his funeral Mass to be held on Monday at 11am in St Patrick’s Church Ballymacnab, with burial afterwards in St Patrick’s Cemetery Armagh.

A longtime supporter of Armagh Camogie, the organisation also paid their respects to him over the weekend.

In March 1997, two IRA men had launched a grenade attack at an RUC station in Coalisland, with SAS soldiers immediately returning fire.

A police cordon around Coalisland RUC station in March 1997. PICTURE: BRIAN LITTLE/PA WIRE
A police cordon around Coalisland RUC station in March 1997. PICTURE: BRIAN LITTLE/PA WIRE

Gareth Doris was shot and wounded while a second man, Paul Campbell, escaped in a Toyota driven by Fr Rice.

At the time, the cleric had told police he slowed down after hearing explosions when an unknown man jumped into the back of his car and demanded he drove off.

Paul Campbell was convicted of an IRA attack in Coalisland when blood from a gunshot wound was found in Fr Rice's car.
Paul Campbell was convicted of an IRA attack in Coalisland when blood from a gunshot wound was found in Fr Rice's car.

After a short distance, Campbell fled on foot and was later identified by Gardai when he presented himself with a gunshot wound at Louth County Hospital under a false name.

Campbell was eventually convicted in 2020, when DNA from bloodstains in Fr Rice’s car proved that Campbell was the injured passenger.

In the 1980s, Fr Rice had also enjoyed a surprising side-career in hospitality by opening “The pub with no beer,” giving television interviews to UTV on the popular enterprise which offered a rare social setting at the time without alcohol.

Tributes to Fr Rice included the Pioneer Association of Derrynoose, Keady & Madden, who said he worked “tirelessly” for those with addiction and promoted the work of the Pioneers throughout Ireland.

The group also called for a guard of honour to be formed after his funeral Mass on Monday.

Armagh Camogie said Fr Rice had been heavily involved with the organisation in the 70s and 80s, having served as County Chairperson.

They added that his connection remained, with two of his grand-nieces playing for Armagh Camogie.