Northern Ireland

IRA bomb survivor Celia Gourley dies months before 30th anniversary of blast in which she lost her legs

Celia Gourley lost her legs and part of her hand in a IRA bomb attack. Picture by Wallace High School
Celia Gourley lost her legs and part of her hand in a IRA bomb attack. Picture by Wallace High School Celia Gourley lost her legs and part of her hand in a IRA bomb attack. Picture by Wallace High School

A CIVIL servant who lost her legs and part of her hand in a IRA bomb attack has been remembered for her `generous spirit' following her death just months before the 30th anniversary of the devastating blast.

Tributes have been paid after Celia Gourley died suddenly at her home in Lisburn, Co Antrim on Friday.

The IRA said she was not the intended victim of the booby-trap device planted under her car on June 2 1991 while she was working for the Industrial Development Board (IDB).

Her attackers never said who it had planned to kill or maim in the blast.

A year later she returned to work full time as Director of Exports in IDB, a role for which she was awarded an OBE, having earlier received an MBE.

However, six years after the devastating injuries, ill health "prevented full time working" and she took early retirement.

The following year she was appointed director of the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund. She was also a vice chair of arts accessibility charity ADAPT NI and chair of the Northern Ireland Prosthetics Forum.

A WAVE Trauma Centre spokesman said it was "very sad to hear that Celia had died", adding members "have fond memories of her"

Wallace High School - where she had also attended its preparatory department - announced her passing on its website "with deep regret", saying their Governor and Trustee has shown "sincere commitment, enthusiasm and a keen eye for detail".

"The `spirit of generosity' attributed to our founder and the school's motto of Esperance ( meaning hope) were embodied in Celia and many pupils have derived great benefit from her financial support via her Hadden bursaries and Celia Gourley scholarship."

Mrs Gourley was predeceased by her husband Bob and survived by brother Adrian Hadden.

Her funeral is strictly private due to Covid-19 regulations, with a service of thanksgiving planned "for a future date" and donations in lieu of flowers to Northern Ireland Hospice and RNLI.