FIFTY years ago, following the horrific deaths of three children on Finaghy Road North in west Belfast, two women, Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan, started a mass peace movement.

The Community for Peace People attracted thousands to rallies and garnered international attention, culminating in the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the women.

While the movement’s momentum stalled and the organisers had their critics, it was the first effective ground-up peace movement during the Troubles that provided inspiration for others and for increased peace activism by women.

On August 10 1976, a car, after its driver IRA member Danny Lennon had been shot dead by the British Army in a chase, went out of control and hit Anne Maguire and three of her four children with her: eight-year-old Joanne, John, aged two, and six-week-old Andrew, who was in a pram. Seven-year-old Mark was not hit by the car.

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Joanne and Andrew died instantly, and John died the next day.

While Anne made a physical recovery from her severe injuries, she was psychologically shattered and took her own life less than four years later.

The heart-wrenching incident was witnessed by Betty Williams and spurred her to collect signatures from people, regardless of religion, petitioning for peace.........

© The Irish News