Witness History The Milltown Cemetery attack
Jan 27, 2025
In this discussion with Bill Buesenberg, an American journalist who reported on the tragic Milltown Cemetery attack for National Public Radio, he recounts the chaotic day of March 16, 1988. A paramilitary's brutal assault on mourners left three dead and dozens injured. Bill shares his harrowing experience of being knocked over during the attack. The conversation delves into the broader implications of this violence within the context of the Troubles and how such incidents fueled the community's push for peace, eventually influencing the Good Friday Agreement.
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Firsthand Account of the Attack
- Journalist Bill Buzenberg covered the Milltown Cemetery funeral for NPR.
- He witnessed the attack, was knocked over by a grenade's concussion, and narrowly avoided injury.
Michael Stone's Attack
- Loyalist paramilitary Michael Stone attacked the funeral.
- He threw grenades and fired a pistol, killing three and injuring 60.
A Turning Point
- The attack on a funeral, a traditionally sacred space, shocked many.
- It was seen as a potential turning point towards the peace process.