For the first time, local man Paddy McCabe, has been recognised as a victim of the Clones bombing on the 28th December 1972.
The acknowlegement is as a result of Cavan Monaghan Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy who secured a topical issues debate to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Clones, Belturbet & Pettigo bombings, recently.
16-year-old Patrick Stanley from Co Offaly and 15-year-old Geraldine O'Reilly from Drumacon died in the bomb blast in Belturbet.
This week Gardaí released the most comprehensive information on the bombings to date and made reference to nine suspects they are trying to locate.
During his Dáil contribution, Deputy Carthy highlighted how the 50th anniversary of the bombings at Belturbet in Co Cavan, Clones in Co Monaghan, and Pettigo in Co Donegal will be marked later this month.
On the day, the three bombs exploded within 49 minutes of each other.
The local Sinn Fein TD pointed out, that for many years, the response from this State to the bombings was silence.
He said it was thanks to the efforts of families, local communities and the organisation Justice for the Forgotten that a focus was finally put on the matter.
Meanwhile, in October 2022, An Garda Síochána issued a renewed appeal for information, which Deputy Carthy says he welcomes.
Deputy Carthy says that official record state there were no fatalities from the bombings at Pettigo and Fermanagh Street in Clones, but that does not tell the full story.
He added that Clones man, Paddy McCabe, was one of those who came to assist in the clear-up operation after the explosion.
He was subsequently working on the roof of the building that was damaged by the bomb when he had a fall that resulted in his death.
Deputy Carthy says the Clones bombing was directly related to his death, although he has never been recognised as a victim of the bombing.
Paddy McCabe left behind his beloved wife Vera who became the sole carer of their eight children, then aged from two to 14 years.
The local TD pointed out the he recently had the opportunity, alongside Councillor Pat Traynor and the Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Seán Conlon, to meet some of Paddy's now grown-up children.
Deputy Carthy added that they want to be informed of all developments in the Garda investigation into the bombings and a recognition that there father's deaths was a consequence of the Clones bomb. Belturbet and Pettigo and that they be considered interested parties for updates on the case.
He added that a Garda Liaison Officer has now been assigned to the family.
