Unlawful Killing of Geraldine O’ Reilly and Patrick Stanley/Bomb Explosions at Belturbet, Co.Cavan, Clones, Co.Monaghan and Mullinagoad, Co.Donegal on December 28th1972

The Gardaí at Ballyconnell Station are investigating three bomb explosions that occurred at Belturbet Co.Cavan, Clones, Co.Monaghan and Mullinagoad, Pettigo, Co.Donegal. On the evening of December 28th 1972 the explosions occurred without warning and within 50 minutes of each other.

Following the publication of an R.T.E. Investigates programme, called ‘The Belturbet bomb; an atrocity that time forgot’, a review of the Belturbet bombing investigation was initiated on 3rd August 2021.On completion of the review, and following consideration of the review report, on 19th September 2022, a Senior Investigating Officer was appointed to lead the investigation and an Incident Room was established at Ballyconnell Garda Station.

The Belturbet explosion resulted in the deaths of two children, Patrick Stanley(16) and Geraldine O’Reilly (15), who were killed instantly. Tragically, a local man from Clones, Patrick McCabe also died on 4th January 1973 when he fell from a roof that he was repairing that was damaged during the Clones explosion. His death left a widow and eight children without a father. Numerous other people were injured during all three explosions to such an extent that they required hospitalisation.

Belturbet, Co Cavan:

On 28th December 1972, sometime after 5pm the suspect car in the Belturbet explosion, a red Ford Escort, was stolen from outside the home of its owner in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. (Note: The Gardaí are aware of the registration number of this vehicle but are not releasing it as they want to focus on another vehicle later on in the appeal)

A Garda check point was in operation on the border between Co. Fermanagh and Co. Cavan at Aghalane Bridge Customs Post. At approximately 9.05pm the red Ford Escort, approached the check point from Northern Ireland and was stopped by the Gardaí on duty. Unknown to the Gardaí, the red Ford Escort had been stolen from Enniskillen earlier that day. The Ford Escort then proceeded to Main Street, Belturbet, when at 10.28 pm a bomb contained within the car exploded outside Farrelly’s Bar and McGowan’s Drapery.

The Garda on duty at the checkpoint gave a detailed description of the driver of the stolen Red Ford Escort, from which this photofit composite was compiled.

Suspect Ford Cortina:

At approximately 9.50pm, prior to the explosion, a Ford Cortina, was seen double parked outside Hunt’s pharmacy on Main Street. It is believed that this was in fact a lagoon blue Ford Cortina registration number BIA 477 which was stolen from Main Street that night. On 2nd/3rd January 1973, this car was found by the R.U.C. at Crumlin, Co. Antrim. It was bearing registration plates of another car.

The lagoon blue Ford Cortina, registration BIA 477 had been noticed initially on 31st December 1972.When it was still there two days later, the R.U.C. called in the British Army who carried out a controlled explosion. The car was subsequently destroyed by fire.

The original registration plates for the lagoon blue Ford Cortina, registration BIA 477, which was stolen from Main Street, Belturbet have not been found to date and are subject of today’s appeal.

(The registration plates are similar in appearance to these, but may have been white in colour with black writing)

Description of occupants of the Ford Cortina:

Description of Driver:

• (1) Male, 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.

Description of female in rear of car:

• (2) 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.

Nos 1 and 2 look like they could be related

Description of Men who got into the same car:

Both dark haired, hair not as long as the driver’s hair, both about 20 years, (appeared taller than (1) above dark conservative clothes, well groomed, Northern accents, thought to be Belfast, both taller than driver. All appeared to be well dressed as if they were going to a dance or some function.

Victims Patrick Stanley and Geraldine O’Reilly:

Patrick Stanley:

Patrick Stanley (16) was from Clara, Co. Offaly. Survived by his parents, Teresa (RIP) and Joe (RIP) and ten siblings. A keen hurler, Gaelic footballer and soccer player, Patrick had recently won an All-Star award for Gaelic football with his school, Árd Scoil Ciarán. He had applied for a cadetship in the Army and, at the time of his murder, was temporarily employed by local businessman, Pat Jennings. 

Patrick was employed as a helper on a Calor Gas delivery lorry. On this particular evening, there had been a problem with the lorry; he and the driver decided to stay in Belturbet overnight. When the bomb exploded, Patrick Stanley was in the public phone kiosk on Main Street, trying to telephone his parents to tell them he would not be home. He was killed instantly.

Geraldine O’Reilly:

Geraldine O’Reilly (15) was from Drumacon, Staghall, Belturbet, Co. Cavan. Survived by her parents, Mary Kate (RIP) and Joseph (RIP) and seven siblings. Geraldine was the youngest of her family and had completed her Group Certificate examination the previous June, gaining six honours and intended taking up a career in nursing.

Geraldine O’Reilly had come into town with her brother Anthony to get some chips for her family. The bomb car was parked directly opposite the chip shop. The explosion occurred while she was in the shop. She too was killed instantly.

Descriptions of unidentified males in Belturbet:

These three men were not known locally, and thought to have Northern Ireland  accents, were seen in Belturbet on the night of December 28th.Gardaí would like to identify these men and speak to them to see if they can help/ assist in progressing the investigation.

a) 25/28 years, 5’11” to 6’0” approx., dark brown or black bushy hair, not too long, combed across forehead in a short fringe, sidelocks, broad/round face, fresh smooth complexion, very well built, wore black leather or plastic ‘wet look’ jacket with zip fastener, high collar turned up at back, side pockets, the word ‘DUNLOP’ in white ¾” lettering on breast or sleeve of jacket, large grey or white squares on trousers, spoke with northern accent

b) 23 to 25 years, 5’7” or 5’9”, straight dark coloured hair, medium length and well groomed, long oval shaped face, pointed chin, light build, wearing expensive looking black jacket with zip, also described as having buttons, side pockets, bell bottom trousers, collar and tie. He wore a watch with gold bracelet.

c) Somewhat similar in description to No 2 and witnesses were of the opinion that No’s 2 and 3 could have been related.

Garda Appeal Belturbet:

Occupants of Ford Escort:

1. Do you know the identity of the person depicted in the photofit - the driver of the stolen Ford Escort stopped by the Gardaí at the checkpoint at Aghalane Bridge? There may have been a female front seat passenger in the car? Do you know the identity of either/both of these individuals?
2. The Ford Escort was stolen in Enniskillen earlier that same evening. Do you know the identity of the person(s) involved? Do you know where it was parked/stored from when it was stolen?

Occupants of Ford Cortina:

3. Do you know the identity of the person depicted in the photofit – the driver of the blue Ford Cortina stolen from Main Street Belturbet ?

Photofit of Driver:

4. Can you identify the other occupants of the Ford Cortina?
5. Gardaí believe that the female passenger and driver may be related? This is on the basis that they are described as being of similar in appearance. Can you identify them?
6. The lagoon blue Ford Cortina registration plates (number BIA 477) have never been recovered. Do you know who may have removed these original plates from the car or who had possession of them?

Descriptions of unidentified males in Belturbet pub:

7. Can you identify the individuals who were in a Belturbet pub on 28th December 1972, one of whom was wearing a distinctive ‘DUNLOP’ jacket?
8. Finally can you assist with any aspect of this investigation? Let the investigation team assess whatever it is that you have to offer? Sometimes the smallest piece of information can prove critical to developing leads with an investigation.

Clones, Co. Monaghan:

At 10.01 p.m. on 28th December 1972, a bomb which was contained in a car exploded in Fermanagh Street, Clones, Co. Monaghan, seriously injuring two men.

The car that contained the Clones bomb, a blue Morris 1100, registration 431 LZ, had been stolen from a car park in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh between 6.30pm and 7.35pm on 28th December 1972.

Gardaí have received information that a person who is missing some fingers was observed driving a stolen blue Morris 1100 on 28th December 1972 in Co Fermanagh.

Gardaí would like to identify this man to speak to him to see if he can help/ assist in progressing the investigation.

Patrick McCabe:

Gardaí would like to remember a local man from Clones, Patrick McCabe who died on 4th January 1973 when he fell from a roof that he was repairing that was damaged in the Clones explosion. His death left a widow and eight children without a father. Patrick’s death highlights the grave and far reaching implications of the Clones explosion.

Garda Appeal Clones:

1. Do you know the identity of the man described as missing some fingers?
2. Do you know anything about the Morris 1100 stolen earlier that evening?
3. Do you know the identity of those involved?
4. Finally can you assist in any way with this investigation? You may know some small piece of information that may prove critical to progressing the investigation.

Pettigo, Mullnagoad, Co Donegal:

At 10.50 p.m. on 28th December 1972, a bomb exploded outside a licensed premises called Britton’s in Mullnagoad, near Pettigo, Co. Donegal.

The device had been left beside the pub in a container. A female victim was injured as a result.

Garda appeal - Pettigo

1. Do you know the identity of the person(s) who placed this device/container outside of the pub?
2. Have you any information that may assist with the investigation?

General appeal:

Maybe you haven’t been able to speak to Gardaí at the time or since for whatever reason. But perhaps now due to relationships and loyalties having changed, with the increasing passage of time, you may now feel better placed to do so. Gardaí would like you to know that your call will be dealt with great sensitivity and compassion and urge you to do so before the opportunity to finally bring closure to the families of those killed and injured is lost.

Finally, anyone with information in relation to the Belturbet, Clones or Pettigo, or indeed any other similar crime, to make contact:

• Crimecall 1800 40 50 60
• Ballyconnell Garda Station incident room 049 9525580
• Garda confidential line Free-phone 1800 666111
• Crimestoppers 1800 250025 or Crimestoppers Northern Ireland 0800 555 111.