Irish team to honour victims of Loughinisland

The Irish team will wear black armbands during its match against Italy at Euro 2012, to commemorate the victims of one of the worst atrocities of the Troubles.

It will be the first time such a gesture has been allowed at a major international soccer tournament.

On 18 June 1994, patrons of a small bar at Loughinisland in Co Down were watching Ireland play Italy in the World Cup loyalist gunmen from the UVF opened fire, killing six men.

Ireland are due to play Italy at the European Championships next month - 18 years to the day since the murders.

UEFA gave the go ahead for the gesture after the FAI, which had been approached by the victims’ families, sought permission.

This will be a unique event in world football, and the Loughinisland families have thanked UEFA and the FAI for providing a forum to remember the killings.