Editing Larne (section)

=== The Troubles ===
Larne throughout the course of [[The Troubles]] had a significant paramilitary presence in the town, mostly through the presence of the [[Ulster Volunteer Force (1966)|Ulster Volunteer Force]] (UVF) and [[Ulster Defence Association]] (UDA). For further information see [[UDA South East Antrim Brigade]].

The town suffered a number of [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] (IRA) bomb attacks during The Troubles, notably including a large car bomb at the King's Arms hotel<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pacemakerpressintl.com/photo?id=133846|title=PaceMaker Press|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref> in 1980 that caused damage to the main shopping areas, for which the IRA claimed responsibility. This incident was raised in Parliament at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1980/may/06/terrorist-incident-larne|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|date=6 May 1980|title=Terrorist Incident (Larne)  |access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref>

Incidents which involved fatalities
*16 September 1972: Sinclair Johnston a UVF member, was shot by the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary]] during street disturbances in the town when the Royal Ulster Constabulary were protecting Catholics living in St Johns Place.<ref>David McKittrick et al ''Lost Lives'' page 264-265</ref>
*20 November 1974: Kevin Regan died from his injuries received in a UVF attack five days before on Maguires bar on Lower Cross Street. The Larne UDA blamed the IRA for the attack.<ref>David McKittrick et al ''Lost Lives'' page 495-496</ref>
*6 February 1975: Colette Brown, a Catholic, was found by the side of the Killyglen Road after being shot by Loyalists.<ref>David McKittrick et al ''Lost Lives'' page 514-515</ref> Two men, one a UVF member the other a Lance Corporal in the UDR (Ulster Defence Regiment) were later convicted of her murder.<ref>David McKittrick et al ''Lost Lives'' page 366</ref>
*8 September 1975: Michael O'Toole a Catholic, died from his injuries sustained in a loyalist booby trap bomb attached to his car two days previously.<ref>David McKittrick et al ''Lost Lives'' page 575-576</ref>
*24 August 1980: Rodney McCormick a Catholic, was shot dead by the [[Ulster Defence Association]] (UDA) in the Antiville area of the town. The gunmen involved were convicted.<ref>David McKittrick et al ''Lost Lives'' page 836</ref>
*11 July 2000: Andrew Cairns a UVF member, was killed by members of the UDA<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-07-13 |title=UVF man shot as loyalists fall out |url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/jul/13/northernireland.jamiewilson |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> at an [[eleventh night]] bonfire celebration in a suspected loyalist feud at Boyne Square. He may also have been murdered due to his alleged involvement in an earlier assault.<ref>David McKittrick et al ''Lost Lives'' page 1478-1479</ref> The Royal Ulster Constabulary detective inspector, George Montgomery, did not find any motive for the murder. [[David Ervine]] (PUP) stated that there was no Loyalist feud.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/831717.stm|title=BBC News – NORTHERN IRELAND – Fresh appeal after bonfire murder|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref>