Garda blown up by IRA in Offaly passes away

A retired Garda who was blown up by a botched IRA bomb in Offaly has passed away peacefully in Portlaoise.

Ben Thornton of Rathleague, Portlaoise and late of Swinford, Co Mayo died on February 29 at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

Beloved husband of Norrie and dearly loved father to Alan and Lorena. Predeceased by his sisters Mary and Patsy and brother Eddie. Deeply regretted by his sisters Sr Augusta and Theresa, son-in-law Rory, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and good friend Joe and former colleagues in An Garda Siochána.

The former detective was among five gardaí to put their lives on the line for the country when they were blown up when a 100lb IRA bomb exploded in a farmhouse at Garryhinch, Co Offaly in October 1976.

Jim Cannon, Tom Peters, Ben Thornton, Gerry Bohan Michael Clerkin were called to the scene after getting a warning that an IRA gang was planning to assassinate the former minister and Laois Offaly TD, Oliver J Flanagan.

Garda Clerkin, who was just 24 at the time, was killed while his colleagues all suffered varying degrees of life-changing injuries.   

Gerry Bohan, Peter Clerkin representing Michael Clerkin; Tom Peters, Ben Thornton and Jim Cannon with their medals at the presentation of Scott Medals in the Garda College, Templemore. Picture: Alf Harvey.

Poignantly, the then Minister for Justice and former Laois Offaly TD Charlie Flanagan represented the State at the Garda College in Templemore when the Scott Medals were finally presented in October 2017.

The Fine Gael TD paid tribute to the deceased.

"I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Detective Garda Thornton. He was a proud Mayo man and a dilligent member of An Garda Síochána and always carried out his duties with a smile and good humour.

"His passing brings back upsetting memories of 1976. The fact is Ben Thornton put his life on his line for my family and I will never forgot that.

"I was proud as Minister for Justice to be present in Templemore when Garda Thornton and colleagues were presented with Scott Medals for bravery in 2017. That was an important moment for me and for Ben and his colleagues. I offer my sympathies to his wife Norrie and his children," he said.

Kenny Donaldson is the Director of the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) which supports victims and survivors of the troubles.

"The SEFF Family are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Ben Thornton. Ben was a valued member of the organisation and has been involved with our southern outreach for many years.

“Ben was someone who didn’t make noise, he was a quiet, intelligent and immensely dignified gentleman. I enjoyed a number of very memorable conversations with him when he shared with me something of his life within and outside An Garda Siochana.

“He was someone who possessed a strong human values system and was the type of person you’d want as a Police Officer and in your corner.

“As well as good own immediate family, the Garda family will mourn his passing, as will the family of ex Officers and colleagues caught up in the Garryhinch explosion in which he was seriously injured and of which his colleague Garda Michael Clerkin was murdered by The Provisional IRA.

“Ben will be remembered fondly and lovingly by those blessed to have known him, and we will remember him with honour,” concluded Mr Donaldson.

Mr Thornton is the third of the gardaí who attended to scene in Garryhinch to pass away. Tom Peters, the most severely injured, died in October 2018.

Nobody was ever brought to justice for the attack.

Mr Thornton's remains repose on Thursday, February 29 at Keegan's Funeral Home from 6.30 pm until 8 pm. Rosary recital at 7.30 pm. Removal on Friday to arrive at SS Peter and Paul's Church for 12noon requiem mass. Cremation will follow on Saturday. The family has requested that the house be private.