The killings took place against a backdrop of violence at high-profile Irish republican funerals . The presence of large numbers of riot police and soldiers at IRA funerals was criticized for sparking unrest . On 6 March 1988 , three unarmed IRA members preparing for a bomb attack on British military personnel were killed by the Special Air Service ( SAS ) in Gibraltar during Operation Flavius . Their joint funeral was due to be held in Belfast 's Milltown Cemetery on 16 March . The security forces agreed to stay away from the funeral in exchange for guarantees that there would be no three-volley salute by IRA gunmen . A member of the Ulster Defence Association ( UDA ) , Michael Stone , learned of this agreement . He attacked the funeral with pistols and grenades , killing three people and wounding more than sixty
attacked the funeral with pistols and grenades
Milltown Cemetery attack
Corporals killings