the social democratic and labour party called for full disbandment of the regiment as early as 1974 through the media and by applying pressure through the irish government and became the major conduit for complaints against the udr from catholics. the sdlp remained opposed to the regiment and continually called for its disbandment "due to the failure of the goc to address the issue of catholic recruiting and the regimental image". although no official support was evident from the party leaderships various members (for example seamus mallon), condemned the killing of udr soldiers and attended funerals, such as in the case of james cochrane, a catholic soldier from 3 udr in downpatrick who was killed in a culvert bomb attack on 6 january 1980.