Memorial to car bomb victims unveiled
The families of the three young bus workers tragically killed in bombings in the early 1970s today welcomed the unveiling of a memorial as a positive step.
Tears were shed as over 30-years later the lives of bus conductor Thomas Douglas, 21, from Scotland, bus driver George Bradshaw, 30, of Fethard in Co Tipperary and Tommy Duffy, 23, were finally marked in bronze and stone.
Decades later no-one has claimed the car bombs at Sackville Place just off Dublin’s O’Connell Street, which killed the men, and injured dozens of other people.
For Tom Duffy, the sculptor and son of the bus conductor killed, said: “At the time Mam was five-months pregnant with me, I was born into the aftermath of it effectively, so for me this is quite a pertinent day for me.”
Mr Duffy, 31, who spent around 10-months physically working of the ground sculpture, said all the families were consulted.
“This is about me actually doing something directly for my father and his memory, the memory of his life more than his death.”
All of the relatives and friends, who travelled from Mayo, Tipperary, Scotland and England, to stand in Dublin’s Sackville Place today said this was only the first step.
Martin Douglas, an older brother of Thomas, from Lancashire in England said: “It is a very positive day for us. It is a visible tangible sign of recognition that the three lads did exist, that something terrible did happen.
“And they are not actually forgotten about as they have been forgotten by many many people, the authorities included, for the last 30 years.”
Justice for the Forgotten, chairwoman, Bernie McNally, who has campaigned for the deaths caused by the Troubles to be recognised, said: “The Barron Report on the 1972 and 1973 bombings has been with the Government since late June and we are awaiting its publication with great interest.”
Justice Barron carried out a separate report on the Sackville Place bombings.
The report is due out before the Dublin Coroner’s Court continues hearing the re-opened inquest on September 21 next.
Anna Bradshaw, the sister of George, said: “We just wish they would get on with the inquest, at least there would be something being done.
Paddy Duffy, who was 21 at the time his brother was killed, said: “We haven’t been very satisfied with the British government in particular for not participating in the inquiry. We feel that 1972, ‘73 and ‘74 have all been linked in some way and in view of that we feel that if they have nothing to hide they should have been upfront and co-operated.”
Buses slowly rolled by as the CIE Male Voice Choir sang Ave Maria at the inter-denominational service as the families laid wreaths.
Ms McNally, told the crowd of CIE workers, relatives and friends, that on the evening of December 1, 1972 the ministers in the Dail were debating an amendment to the Offences Against the State Act.
The crowd heard as the ministers considered the legislation to take stronger measures against terrorists a bomb exploded at 7.58pm at Liberty Hall.
No-one was killed but dozens were injured.
Ms McNally said then at 8.15pm, where we stand today, a car-bomb exploded killing Mr Bradshaw and Mr Duffy.
She said a late warning call was made to the Belfast Telegraph and the person who took the call said the caller spoke with a distinctly English accent.
Gardai evacuated the CIE canteen after the call and the two men ran into the path of the bomb.
The anti-terrorist law was then pushed through the following morning and a third bomb then exploded on Saturday January 20, 1973 in Sackville Place killing Mr Douglas.
The sculpture was funded by CIE, Dublin City Council and bus workers while politicians including Independents Tony Gregory and Finian McGrath as well as the former Dublin MEP Patricia McKenna, who have pushed the cause attended.
Anna Bradshaw, the sister of George, said: “The sculpture is beautiful. It is fitting for the three of them, just to think that forever more, people will walk there and remember them.”
Andy Douglas from Scotland, another brother of Thomas, said the families were delighted Mr Duffy was the one to design the sculpture.
“The significance is the flowers, you have the thistle remembering the Scottish side of things, where Thomas Douglas came from, the rose is for love and the lilies for remembrance,” Mr Douglas said.
“That is why it is done the way it is. It is an excellent reminder and it is something that I will always visit.”
