Family of Offaly teenager killed in bomb blast attend memorial event in Belturbet
The 50th anniversary of the Belturbet bombing was commemorated at a ceremony at the site of the December 1972 tragedy on Wednesday December 28.
The families of 16 year old Patrick Stanley from Clara and 15 year old Geraldine O'Reilly from Belturbet attended the event.
Wreaths were laid at a bronze sculpture depicting the two teenagers on Main Street, Belturbet.
Patrick Stanley, a gas delivery helper, had gone to a phone booth to ring home to tell his family he was staying the night.
Meanwhile, 15 year old Geraldine O'Reilly from Belturbet was in a chip shop while her brother waited for her in a car.
A bomb which was left primed in a red Ford Escort exploded at 10.28pm that night killing both youths. A number of other people were seriously injured in the blast.
The Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, John Paul Feeley spoke at the wreath laying ceremony on Wednesday. Cavan County Council reported that Cllr Feeley said ''the explosion in Belturbet, 50 years ago brought death and destruction to a peaceful border town.
It shattered the lives of families left bereaved and the confidence of a community shocked by what happened. That grief was compounded by the lack of justice.
Today, we paused to remember, show our solidarity with the families of Geraldine and Patrick and those injured and also express the hope that even at this remove those who perpetrated this crime are brought to justice.''
Local poet PJ Kennedy also read a poem at the event, and music was provided by Isaac Scanlan.
Cavan County Council also reported that, Margaret Urwin of Justice for the Forgotten said “Commemorative events are a source of great comfort and consolation to bereaved families and it is particularly important to mark significant anniversaries, such as this one.”
Gardai have issued a description of the man who was driving the red Ford Escort he is described as 18 years old 5’8” thin build, long thin pale face, long dark brown hair (curly), curls all over head, hair well-groomed and coming almost to chin, staring type eyes, very conspicuous nose, very pale complexion, delicate looking, wearing a dark blazer with shinny buttons, double breasted with wide lapels, maybe silver buttons plain design, collar and tie, light coloured shirt and dark tie, neatly dressed, appeared to be a clerical worker, wore a silver or steel band around his wrist – maybe a watch.
The female in the car is described as 18-19 years old, fairly tall, blonde hair coming down over shoulders, parted in the centre and pushed away from forehead, sharp featured, pale complexion, good looking, very light eyebrows, long dark overcoat (maybe red), polo neck pullover. They look like they could be related.
Anyone with information in relation to the Belturbet Bombing on December 28, 1972 is asked to contact the incident room at Ballyconnell Garda Station 049 9525580, the Garda confidential line Free-phone 1800 666 111 or Crimestoppers 1800 250025.