Gardaí mark 50th anniversary of Laois-Offaly bomb tragedy
The wreath laying ceremony in Garryhinch. Photo: Michael Scully
THE 50th anniversary of the notorious Garryhinch bombing on the Laois-Offaly border was marked by An Garda Síochána in a poignant ceremony at the site.
The commemoration of the atrocity, which happened on 16 October 1976, was held in memory of Garda Michael Clerkin, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty.
The ceremony also remembered his Portarlington Garda Station colleagues Sergeant Jim Cannon, Detective Garda Tom Peters, Garda Gerry Bohan and Detective Garda Ben Thornton, some of whom were seriously injured in the explosion. The event was attended by members of their grieving families.
Those attending the ceremony included Deputy Garda Commissioner Paul Cleary, Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, Laois/Offaly Chief Superintendent Anthony Lonergan, Portlaoise Superintendent Brian Farrell, former Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan, Tom Conway, President of the Garda Síochána Retired Members’ Association and Laois Co Council cathaoirleach Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald.
Chief Supt Lonergan said the day’s event was about remembering people who served, who were courageous and who suffered in the line of duty and who, in the case of Garda Clerkin, made the ultimate sacrifice.
He said: "I assure you that we will remember the impact that this event has had on An Garda Síochána, on you as families and indeed the wider community.”
On that fateful day 50 years ago, Garda Clerkin and his four colleagues responded to reports of suspicious activity at a vacant house in Garryhinch near Portarlington where a booby-trap bomb exploded, instantly killing Garda Clerkin and seriously injuring his colleagues.
The officers had been lured to the property by people who claimed they were holding then Laois-Offaly Fine Gael TD Oliver J. Flanagan, father of now-retired TD and former minister Charlie Flanagan.
After a long campaign, all five gardaí were awarded a Scott Medal for bravery in 2017. Retired gardaí Jim Cannon, Ben Thornton, Tom Peters and Gerry Bohan and the family of the late Garda Clerkin were presented with the medals at a ceremony in Templemore Garda Training College. Fittingly, the presentation was made by then-Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan.
