Gardaí are to renew an appeal for information in relation to a bomb in Pettigo in 1972.
It is part of a larger investigation into bombings on the same date, December 28, in Canvan and Monaghan.
The guards will make an appeal on Crimecall on RTÉ One tonight at 9:35pm in relation to the Belturbet bomb on 28th December 1972 and the murders of Patrick Stanley and Geraldine O’Reilly.
On 28th December 1972, three no warning bombs exploded in Belturbet, Co Cavan, Clones, Co. Monaghan and in Mullnagoad, Pettigo.
At 10.50 p.m, a bomb exploded outside a licensed premises called Britton’s in Mullnagoad, near the border village. The bomb had been left beside the pub in a container. One female was injured.
At 10.28 p.m, a bomb which was contained in a red Ford Escort exploded outside Farrelly’s Bar and McGowan’s Drapery on Main Street, Belturbet. Two children, Patrick Stanley (16) and Geraldine O’Reilly (15), were killed in the Belturbet area. 8 other persons were injured.
Shortly before the Belturbet Bomb, at 10.01 p.m, a bomb which was contained in a blue Morris 1100 exploded in Fermanagh Street, Clones. Two men were seriously injured. Tragically, a local man from Clones, Patrick McCabe died on 4th January 1973 when he fell from a roof that he was repairing that was damaged in the Clones bomb. His death left a widow and eight children without a father.
Speaking today Chief Superintendent McGovern said
“There are people out there, who know who carried out these crimes. They may not have been able to speak at that time or since. Perhaps relationships have changed, and with the increasing passage of time, maybe they feel able to speak or as they are getting older, now may want to speak before an opportunity to do so is lost. I ask them to make contact with the investigation team and to help An Garda Síochána get answers for the families of those killed and injured in Belturbet, Clones or Pettigo.”
A dedicated investigation team under a Senior Investigating Officer has been established at an incident room at Ballyconnell Garda Station.
The Garda investigation team can be contacted at the following numbers; Ballyconnell Garda Station 049 9525580, the Garda confidential line Free-phone 1800 666111, Crimestoppers 1800 250025 or Crimestoppers Northern Ireland 0800 555 111.
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