Thomas McErlane

Thomas McErlane 19 years, Thompson Street, Short Strand, Belfast, shot dead along with his older brother John on 23 May 1975. The Protestant Action Force, a cover name for the UVF, claimed the killings. The two young men worked for Lagan Meats and every Friday left work with several of their Protestant workmates to play cards in an apartment at Mount Vernon on the Shore Road. A number of men burst into the apartment and ordered those inside to lie on the floor, John and Thomas were then each shot in the head. The gunmen threatened those present to say nothing and stole money from the card game before they left the scene.