Sean Downes

Sean Edward "John" Downes (February 1962 – 12 August 1984), was a ex-Provisional Irish Republican Army youth member, who died after he was shot in the chest at point blank range with a plastic bullet in August 1984 during an anti-internment rally in Belfast. Downes was the 15th person killed by a plastic bullet during the Troubles.

Personal life Sean Edward Downes was born in February 1962 in Belfast, to Gerry and Vera Downes, he was their fifth child.

On 12 March 1979 when Downes was 16 he was arrested and charged for being in a youth wing of the Provisional IRA, but wasn't given any jail time as long as he promised to stay out of trouble. Downes wouldn’t ever rejoin the Provisional IRA.

Downes would marry his long time girlfriend Brenda in January 1983; their marriage was held at the St. Agnes Church. They would have a daughter Claire who was born in February.

Death On 12 August 1984, John Downes accompanied with his wife Brenda and their 18-month old daughter, Claire attended an anti-internment rally in Andersonstown in front of the Connolly House. Hosted by Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and NORAID director Martin Galvin.

The RUC arrived to disperse the crowd, but when the RUC attempted to arrest Galvin the crowd began to scatter in the panic. Brenda and Claire left soon after the rioting started, but John stayed; caught on camera Downes was shot by constable Nigel Hegarty in the chest with a plastic bullet at a range of less than 5 meters, Downes would nearly instantly collapse and would die minutes later, as the bullet ruptured his heart.

Several press representatives were beaten with batons. Eamon Mallie of Downtown Radio who was taping the incident was beaten and they attempted to confiscate the tape. Brendan Murphy of the Irish News was grabbed by the throat and was demanded to leave. Larry O’Hara a photographer with AP/RN was hit behind the ear by a plastic bullet.

Legacy During John Downes’ funeral over 5,000 people attended including Gerry Adams and Martin Galvin.

Downes’ death was one of the main reasons for the formation of the United Campaign Against Plastic Bullets, which was founded by Emma Groves and Clara Reilly.