Twenty seven past pupils whose names are known were to lose their lives during the ‘troubles’. Of these, twenty four were boys and three girls. Most were in their late teens or early twenties. One, John Rolston, was murdered within two days of leaving school. Three were killed by the Provisional IRA, another three accidentally when handling explosives, twenty including the three girls by loyalist paramilitaries and one, Bobby Sands, died in prison on hunger strike shortly after he had been elected M.P. for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Eight families who had one or other parent killed in those years also sent children to the school.
Of all those who lost their lives Bobby Sands is the best known. He attended Stella Maris from 1965 to 1969. Coming from a very supportive and close knit family he was well regarded by both staff and pupils and a pleasure to teach. He was keen on sport and was a member of the local Star of the Sea youth club, where together with several of his Protestant friends he played on the club team. Shortly after he left school he was intimidated from his workplace and the family from their home in Rathcoole; the remainder of the story is well known.
The first deaths of past pupils occurred in 1972 and continued to 1994. Sharon McKenna was murdered in January 1993, the year the school closed.
The first deaths of past pupils occurred in 1972 and continued to 1994. Sharon McKenna was murdered in January 1993, the year the school closed.
1972, April 7th, 18 years old
All died handling explosives and were claimed by the PIRA as members
Shot by loyalists. No-one convicted
Killed by UDA/UFF
Killed by UVF. No-one convicted
Killed by UVF. No-one convicted
UVF bomb blast Conways Bar
Killed by UDA/UFF
Killed by a bomb placed by the UVF in the Railway Bar, Greencastle
1975 April 7th, 20 years old
Killed by UVF. No-one convicted
Killed by UVF
Killed by Provisional IRA during feud with Official IRA, claimed as a member of the Republican Clubs. No-one convicted
Killed by UDA/UFF, claimed as a member of the ‘Official IRA’. No-one convicted.
Killed by UVF
Killed at her home in Mountainview Gardens when UVF gunmen fired shots through the living room window. The family had previously been intimidated from their home in Rathfern, Newtownabbey
Killed by the Provisional IRA. No-one convicted.
Bobby Sands
The first of ten men to die on hunger strike
Killed by UVF, no-one convicted, claimed as a member of the INLA
Killed by UVF
One of nine RUC personnel killed in Newry by Provisional IRA
Killed by UVF. No-one convicted
Killed by UVF. No-one convicted
Killed by UVF. No-one convicted
Killed by UVF
Killed by UVF. No-one convicted
Killed by UDA/UFF. No-one convicted
three by the IRA – no convictions, one died on hunger strike and
twenty were killed by loyalist paramilitaries – eight convictions."
Killed by UDA/UFF. No conviction
Killed by UDA/UFF. No conviction
Killed by UVF
Killed by Loyalists. No conviction
Killed by UDA/UFF
Killed by a plastic bullet fired by a soldier when he (McGuinness) was trying toclear the street of young people during a riot.
Killed by UVF, claimed as a member of the Workers’ Party. No conviction
Carol Anne Kelly although not a pupil in the Secondary had attended Stella Maris Primary before the family moved to Twinbrook having been intimidated from their home in Rathcoole. Aged 11 years she was killed by a bullet fired by a soldier while on her way to the shop for milk. The area was reported to be quiet at the time. She, too, ought to be remembered. No conviction.
‘Lost Lives’ by David McKittrick, Seamus Kelters, Brian Feeney, Chris Thornton and David McVea
Mainstream Publishing – 1999. Revised 2004
