Maurice Gibson
Encyclopedia
Sir Maurice Gibson PC
(1 May 1913 - 27 April 1987) was a Lord Justice of Appeal
in Northern Ireland, he was killed, along with his wife Cecily, Lady Gibson, during an attack by the Provisional Irish Republican Army
(IRA).
Sir Maurice was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI) graduated with a law degree from Queen's University, Belfast, elected a bencher in 1961 and described by Lord MacDermott
in 1968 as the best lawyer at the Bar. In 1968 he became Chancery Judge and Lord of Appeal in 1977. The couple had two children.
In 1977 he acquitted the soldier who shot Majella O'Hare, a 12 year old girl. The UK government recently apologised for this killing and said the justification he accepted was "unlikely".
He and his wife were killed by a remote-controlled car bomb
as they drove over the Irish Border back into Northern Ireland on 27 April 1987 after a holiday.
As the judge's car reached the border, he stopped to shake hands with the Garda
security escort who had completed their part of the assignment. The couple had only a short drive to meet the RUC
escort to Belfast
. Between the two points lay the bomb. The explosion threw the Gibson's vehicle across the road, killing the couple immediately.
The explosion also injured Ireland national rugby union team
players Nigel Carr
, David Irwin
and Philip Rainey who were in a car on the same road
The case was investigated by the Cory Collusion Inquiry
into cases of collusion between security forces and paramilitaries after persistent questions over whether the Garda had tipped off the IRA of the Gibson's travel arrangements. Cory found no evidence to warrant a public inquiry into the incident.
Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
(1 May 1913 - 27 April 1987) was a Lord Justice of Appeal
Lord Justice of Appeal
A Lord Justice of Appeal is an ordinary judge of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales, the court that hears appeals from the High Court of Justice, and represents the second highest level of judge in the courts of England and Wales-Appointment:...
in Northern Ireland, he was killed, along with his wife Cecily, Lady Gibson, during an attack by the Provisional Irish Republican Army
Provisional Irish Republican Army
The Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
(IRA).
Sir Maurice was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI) graduated with a law degree from Queen's University, Belfast, elected a bencher in 1961 and described by Lord MacDermott
John MacDermott, Baron MacDermott
John Clarke MacDermott, Baron MacDermott, MC PC was a Northern Irish politician and lawyer who was Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland from 1951 to 1971....
in 1968 as the best lawyer at the Bar. In 1968 he became Chancery Judge and Lord of Appeal in 1977. The couple had two children.
In 1977 he acquitted the soldier who shot Majella O'Hare, a 12 year old girl. The UK government recently apologised for this killing and said the justification he accepted was "unlikely".
He and his wife were killed by a remote-controlled car bomb
Car bomb
A car bomb, or truck bomb also known as a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device , is an improvised explosive device placed in a car or other vehicle and then detonated. It is commonly used as a weapon of assassination, terrorism, or guerrilla warfare, to kill the occupants of the vehicle,...
as they drove over the Irish Border back into Northern Ireland on 27 April 1987 after a holiday.
As the judge's car reached the border, he stopped to shake hands with the Garda
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
security escort who had completed their part of the assignment. The couple had only a short drive to meet the RUC
Royal Ulster Constabulary
The Royal Ulster Constabulary was the name of the police force in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 2000. Following the awarding of the George Cross in 2000, it was subsequently known as the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC. It was founded on 1 June 1922 out of the Royal Irish Constabulary...
escort to Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. Between the two points lay the bomb. The explosion threw the Gibson's vehicle across the road, killing the couple immediately.
The explosion also injured Ireland national rugby union team
Ireland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
players Nigel Carr
Nigel Carr
Nigel Carr was an Ireland rugby union international whose promising career was cut short due to injuries sustained in an IRA bomb explosion.-Early life:Nigel John Carr was born in Belfast on 27 July 1959...
, David Irwin
David Irwin
David George Irwin is a former rugby union player who played for and the British Lions.-Ireland:Between 1980 and 1990, Irwin made 25 appearances for , scoring 8 points including 2 tries...
and Philip Rainey who were in a car on the same road
The case was investigated by the Cory Collusion Inquiry
Cory Collusion Inquiry
The Cory Collusion Inquiry was established to conduct an independent inquiry into deaths relating to the 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland.A retired Canadian supreme court judge, Peter Cory was appointed to undertake a thorough investigation of allegations of collusion between British and Irish...
into cases of collusion between security forces and paramilitaries after persistent questions over whether the Garda had tipped off the IRA of the Gibson's travel arrangements. Cory found no evidence to warrant a public inquiry into the incident.