“This plaque marks the spot where Kellys Bar once stood and where on 13th May 1972 a no warning loyalist car bomb exploded. As a result 66 people were injured and three innocent members of staff of Kellys Bar lost their lives. They were Tommy McIlroy Died 13th May 1972; John Moran Died from his injuries 23rd May 1972; Gerard Clarke Died from his injuries 6th September 1989. Ar dheıs De [sic] go raıbh a namacha [sic].” Punters were watching a World Cup match between England and West Germany when the bomb went off. McIlroy was not killed in the explosion but in the gunfire from Springmartin which followed. More died in the gun battles that followed over the next two days – see the Battle At Springmartin (WP),
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Copyright © 2004 Peter Moloney
M02243
Peter Moloney Collection 