Uploaded September 2024 | Updated September 2026, 11 minutes ago
James Lynagh (Irish: Séamus Ó Laighnigh; 13th of April 1956 – 8th of May 1987) was a member of the East Tyrone Brigade of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), from Monaghan Town in the Republic of Ireland, who was killed by British special forces whilst attacking an R.U.C. station in Northern Ireland.
Lynagh was killed by the British Army's Special Air Service on the 8th of May 1987 during an attack on the isolated rural part-time police station at the small Armagh village of Loughgall, the third such attack that he had taken part in. During the incident the IRA detonated a 200 lb bomb, and attacked the station with automatic weapons, and in the process were ambushed by the British Army which was lying in wait for them, having been forewarned of the IRA operation. All eight of the IRA attacking force were killed in the exchange of fire, the British forces involved incurring no fatalities. The incident subsequently became known as the Loughgall Ambush.
Lynagh was buried at St Joseph's Cemetery (Latlurcan Cemetery) in Monaghan Town. During his funeral, as his coffin was carried through the village of Emyvale, Irish Garda Síochána officers were attacked by the crowd of mourners after they pursued three masked members of the colour party who had fired a volley of shots from H&K G3 rifles over his coffin
James Lynagh (Irish: Séamus Ó Laighnigh; 13th of April 1956 – 8th of May 1987) was a member of the East Tyrone Brigade of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), from Monaghan Town in the Republic of Ireland, who was killed by British special forces whilst attacking an R.U.C. station in Northern Ireland.
Lynagh was killed by the British Army's Special Air Service on the 8th of May 1987 during an attack on the isolated rural part-time police station at the small Armagh village of Loughgall, the third such attack that he had taken part in. During the incident the IRA detonated a 200 lb bomb, and attacked the station with automatic weapons, and in the process were ambushed by the British Army which was lying in wait for them, having been forewarned of the IRA operation. All eight of the IRA attacking force were killed in the exchange of fire, the British forces involved incurring no fatalities. The incident subsequently became known as the Loughgall Ambush.
Lynagh was buried at St Joseph's Cemetery (Latlurcan Cemetery) in Monaghan Town. During his funeral, as his coffin was carried through the village of Emyvale, Irish Garda Síochána officers were attacked by the crowd of mourners after they pursued three masked members of the colour party who had fired a volley of shots from H&K G3 rifles over his coffin
