Several hundred people attended an inter-denomination service in Claudy, Co Derry, yesterday, to commemorate the nine people killed in the Claudy bombings 25 years ago.
Three "no-warning" car bombs exploded in the village on the morning of Operation Motorman on July 31st, 1972, when British soldiers moved into the then nogo areas in Derry's Creggan and Bogside areas. No paramilitary organisation claimed responsibility for the atrocity. The ages of the five Catholics and four Protestants killed ranged from nine years to 65 years.
Yesterday's service was held in Claudy's Market Square car park, near the scene of the explosions.
Ms Judith Miller, whose grandfather, David Miller (60), was killed, was born 10 years after his death. "My grandfather could have made it to safety but he went back to try to save others. He was treating people injured in the first explosion. The area was being evacuated but he stayed on to help the wounded and dying. Then another bomb exploded and he was killed. I never knew my grandfather; I never sat upon his knee." Mr Billy Eakin, whose daughter, Kathryn, was the youngest victim, said every day he still sees his daughter's body lying outside the family's shop. "What can you say about one so young who is taken away in such a manner. The tragedy has been largely forgotten, but we will never forget it. Another thing I'll never forget is receiving £58 pounds in compensation for my daughter's death.
"I can never understand how someone could put such a figure on the life of a child. We never looked for money, we never wanted money for Kathryn's death but when we received £58 pounds in the post we just cried. The cheque was accompanied by a letter which explained the money was compensation to pay for the coffin and hearse," he said.