28 February 1985: The IRA attacked Newry RUC barracks and killed 9 of its members and injured many more. It was the worst single incident suffered by RUC in the course of the Troubles. The base was situated at Corry Square in the town and while heavily guarded the canteen inside was just a portacabin that was full at the time of the attack.

Shortly after 6.30 pm on 28 February, nine shells were launched from a lorry, which had been parked on Monaghan Street,  about 250 yards (230 m) from the base. At least one 50 lb shell landed on a portacabin containing a canteen, where many officers were having their evening tea break. 

“Myself and two other guys were sitting in an office and we were having our dinner. And at 6.35pm that evening, which was a Thursday evening, Crossroads had just started on the television. Then there were a series of bangs and the windows came in.

“I made my way out into the main corridor in the station, and was confronted by a uniformed police officer,” he said. “He asked what was happening, and my words to him were: ‘I think we’re all about to die’.

“The next recollection is an officer, a more senior officers, coming in through the back door from the yard where the canteen was. “And if you looked at him he looked like a typical cartoon character who has just been in an explosion. “His shirt was in tatters and he said something to the effect: It’s gone. “There were no more explosions, and myself and others ran out the back to where the canteen was. And it wasn’t there any more. It was just wreckage.

Retired RUC Officer

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/crime/newry-ruc-station-attack-anniversary-ex-officer-says-pure-carnage-wreaked-by-ira-never-leaves-him-2002087

The Police Station is now long since demolished & has been replaced by the grassy McClelland Park and a town Car Park.

Those who died were:

Chief Inspector Alexander Donaldson, 41

Res Constable Geoffrey Campbell, 24

Detective Sgt John Dowd, 31

Detective Constable Ivy Kelly, 29

Res Constable Rosemary McGookin, 27

Res Constable Paul McFerran, 33

Res Constable Sean McHenry, 19

Res Constable Denis Price, 22

Constable David Topping, 22.