The killing caused uproar, not just in the Newry region, but throughout Ireland, as well as in England. A huge volume of letters poured into the `Yorkshire Observer`, expressing disgust at the murder of a Bradford resident, who had been popular with all classes and creeds.

The Schools Medical Officer demanded a Public Inquiry into that killing, as well as others, �which have disgraced Britain in the eyes of the world.�

�Those inquiries will always come out on the side of the offenders who are, in the main, hired assassins of the government, with the added advantage of being disguised. Those inquiries have the monotonous habit of being adjourned sine die,� stated that prestigious newspaper.

However, the local MP, while endorsing the call for a Public Inquiry, pointed out that those, who might decide to give evidence to such an investigation, might be �marked down.�

Thousands of people attended the funeral of Teresa McAnuff at Shinn Chapel. Fr McGrath described the deceased as � a local young lady of great attainment, educated to a very high standard, and of great refinement.

�Teresa met her death without a moment�s notice, but it did not find her unprepared. She lived in the service of God all her life; and two days before her death, she received Holy Communion in this her native church.�

Meanwhile, a workman at the McAnuff farm had suffered serious injuries that same night, at the hands of the same band, responsible for Teresa�s killing. As a result, James McAnuff would have found it difficult to run the farm alone, with his livelihood being in jeopardy.

Over 100 farmers from the area turned up on the morning after the funeral, and commenced harvesting operations. By the time they had finished, the farm was back on a sound footing.

The same murder gang made several more visits in the Glenn district that night, resulting in vicious beatings being administered. One man was made to dig his grave. The he was kicked and beaten, being left for dead.

Indeed, that week in July, 1921, was one of the worst in the history of the Newry region. Four young men, - John and Thomas Reilly, Peter Magennity and Peter Quinn, - were dragged from their homes in the Killeavy area, being shot dead by the �Specials� at Ballymacdermott.

And William Hickey was taken from his home at Kilmorey Street, Newry, brought to a secluded spot outside the town and shot dead. This was in retaliation for the killing of a Special constable, Hugh Gabbie, outside Newry Market.

But one of the most sensational episodes in the recent Troubles was the Miami Showband Massacre, which occurred about a mile from Sheepbridge on a night in July, 1975. Three of the musicians, Fran O�Toole, Tony Geraghty and Brian McCoy, were killed and Stephen Travers badly injured. A fifth managed to escape. Members of a UVF gang had opened fire after a bomb, which was being planted on the band�s minibus, exploded prematurely, killing two of them.

That famous band has just completed a gig at Banbridge, and were on their way home to Dublin when they were waved down on the dual carriageway at Bushkill by a group of men, dressed in military-style uniform. The musicians were ordered from the vehicle and told to stand against a hedge.

Removing the equipment from the minibus, the loyalists then replaced the items, also placing a bomb on board in the darkness. However, the device exploded in their hands. After the blast, other members of the gang opened fire on the bandsmen.

There was speculation that the UVF planned for the bomb to explode while the minibus was passing through Newry, and that the Miami Showband would be accused of ferrying explosives. The body of one loyalist victim was so mutilated that it was only identified when the shattered glass from his spectacles was traced through an optician.

Meanwhile, the South Down Command of the IRA issued a public apology for the killing of a popular Gael from Glenn, Sean McShane, who was shot dead in Frank Hughes bookie shop at Monaghan Street, Newry in July, 1983.

Two masked men had entered the premises, one armed with a pistol and the other with a rifle. One walked up to the victim, and shot him in the head at point-blank range. As he fell to the floor, the other gunman fired above the heads of horrified staff and punters. They made their escape in the confusion.

Announcing �an urgent, internal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident,� the IRA statement added: �While not attempting to minimise the tragedy, the nationalist community should bear in mind the circumstances under which we operate. While extreme caution is taken at all times, in selecting and identifying targets, human error is unavoidable.

The intended target was believed to have been an RUC detective of similar build and red hair as the victim, and to have frequented the same bookie shop.

However, the chairman of Newry and Mourne Council, Jim McCart stated: �The people of this district want no more killings, either planned or accidental. No excuse will bring Sean McShane back to life.�

Co-manager of Glenn GFC minor squad, Frank Reavey, said that the victim �had no interest in politics, - his whole life was confined to his wife, elderly parents, car-repair business and the Glenn John Martin club.� In fact, he had just been elected �Clubman of the Year.�

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