The 50th anniversary of the Belturbet bombing will be commemorated this
afternoon at the site of the 1972 tragedy.
Todays event is being organised by Cavan County Council and Justice for the Forgotten.
Speaking ahead of todays event, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr John Paul Feeley said the commemoration provides an opportunity to pause and
remember Geraldine O'Reilly and Patrick Stanley who tragically died and all those who were injured on this day 50 years ago.
Geraldine O’Reilly who was 15 years of age and Patrick Stanley who was 16 years of age lost their lives on the Main Street in Belturbet on this day 50 years ago.
The bomb, which was contained in a red Ford Escort, exploded outside Farrelly’s Bar and McGowan’s Drapery in the county Cavan town at 10.28 that night. .
Geraldine was in the local takeaway getting chips for her family while Patrick was ringing home to his parents to explain that he wouldn’t be home that night.
Shortly before the Belturbet Bomb, at 10.01 p.m. on 28th December 1972, a bomb which was contained in a blue Morris 1100 exploded in Fermanagh Street, Clones, Co. Monaghan.
At 10.50 p.m. on 28th December 1972, a bomb exploded outside a licensed premises called Britton’s in Mullnagoad, near Pettigo, Co. Donegal.
Gardaí last week made a public appeal for information on what they have called a Refocused investigation into the bombings that took place in here in Belturbet 50 years ago today.
