One of the landmark atrocities of the Troubles, the Claudy bombing was particularly shocking as the village had largely escaped the violence.
A mixed town approximately nine miles from Derry City, Claudy was a village where the two communities managed to live with each other despite the mayhem and heartbreak surrounding them.
However, that peace was blown to bits when nine people were killed and 30 injured when the Provisional IRA planted three car bombs in the village on Monday July 31, 1972.
The first bomb, in a Ford Cortina, exploded outside Elizabeth McElhinney’s bar and shop on Main Street at around 10.15am.
Realising a bomb had been planted inside a Mini Traveller van, also on Main Street, a police officer started directing survivors towards Church Street. However, the IRA had planted a third bomb outside the Beaufort Hotel which exploded at 10.30am, killing three people, two of whom had been hurt in the first explosion. Minutes later the Mini Traveller van bomb exploded, causing widespread damage but failing to kill anyone as the area had been cleared.
Former Ulster Unionist councillor, Mary Hamilton was injured in the bomb. With her husband, Ernie (deceased, also a former Derry councillor), she was in the Beaufort Hotel which she and her husband had taken over the year before.
“We heard the bang and like everyone we ran out and up the street. There were terrible sights. I saw a woman on fire and a woman with blood running from her face. Then somebody saw a car with wires and we were told to go back to the health centre (on Church Street)," she told the Irish News.
“We’d just passed our place when the bomb went off. It blew me across the road and I felt as if my stomach was going to burst.”
The horror continued as Mrs Hamilton saw victim David Miller die at her feet.
“I remember the young boy Temple; he’d just started work as a milkman. He said he hurt his hand in the first bomb and then he was killed in the second.
"Willie Eakin came down carrying young Kathryn (his granddaughter) and handed her over to Dr Deacon but she died on the way to hospital.”
The Claudy bombing left Mrs Hamilton with life-long injuries and multiple operations for shrapnel wounds to her legs.
Witnesses reported frantic efforts by the bombers to telephone through warnings from Feeney and Dungiven but with the telephone exchange destroyed in an earlier IRA attack, they were unable to do so.
The IRA in Derry denied responsibility for the bomb.
However, it emerged in following years that a Provisional IRA unit from south Derry was involved, many of whom eventually emigrated.
Desertmartin priest, Fr James Chesney, who is deceased, has also been connected to the bombing. A report by former Police Ombudsman, Al Hutchinson in 2010 found that Chesney was an IRA member and had been involved. A number of families of the bereaved are taking legal action against the Catholic Church.
At the time of the 25th anniversary, IRA sources told The Irish News that Chesney – a known IRA sympathizer – was not involved. The County Derry priest also denied the claims to the late Bishop Daly.
In 2005, four people were arrested in connection with the bombing, including then Sinn Féin assembly member, Francie Brolly, but all four denied any involvement and were released without charge. No-one has ever been prosecuted for the bombing of Claudy.
A service of commemoration will be held at the Claudy bomb memorial on Sunday July 31 at 3pm.
The Claudy victims:
Kathryn Eakin (9) – The youngest victim, Kathryn was washing the window of her parents’ shop on Main Street when the first bomb exploded.
Patrick Connolly (15) – Caught up in the first bomb outside McElhinney’s bar and shop, Patrick died a week later in hospital.
William Temple (16) – From Donemana, William was working as a milkman’s helper when he was killed.
Arthur Hone (38) – A father of two, Arthur died from his injuries two weeks after the bombing.
David Miller (60) – David was working as a street cleaner when he was murdered in the third blast.
Joseph McCloskey (39) – Joseph died instantly in the first bomb.
Elizabeth McElhinney (59) – Elizabeth was serving petrol outside her shop and bar when she was killed by the first bomb.
Rose McLaughlin (52) – A mother of eight, Rose died from her injuries four days after the bombing.
James McClelland (65) – The oldest victim, James died when he was caught by the third bomb.
