Lance Corporal John Bradley, Private Michael Adams, Private John Birch and Private Steven Smart of the 3rd Battalion The Ulster Defence Regiment were killed in a landmine attack outside Downpatrick.

The mobile patrol was travelling from Ballykinler towards the town on the Ballydougan Road. The 1,000lb device exploded as the two Land Rovers passed, leaving a crater 15 feet deep and 40 feet wide. It was the Regiment’s largest single loss of life since a landmine attack near Ballygawley in July 1983.