Not many people in Pettigo are well-known, but we do have a few noteworthy individuals. However, Pettigo is mostly recognized due to Brexit, as the village has been divided by the Border since partition.
On September 28, 1973, a devastating car bomb exploded on the Donegal side of Pettigo. The bombers deliberately chose the narrow confines of Mill Street during closing time in the local pub to maximize the damage. This no-warning car bomb, estimated to be around 100 to 150lbs of explosives, went off at 11.35pm. Many families were left homeless, but we were fortunate to have escaped with few injuries and no fatalities.
Although the bombing did not receive national media coverage, our tragic story was shared throughout the county by the local Donegal Democrat.
What’s interesting about the Pettigo bombing is not the event itself, but the information that was provided by one of the loyalist paramilitary bombers involved. During the Troubles, loyalist paramilitaries carried out numerous bombing attacks in the border counties. Only one individual was arrested, charged, and sentenced in the Republic for involvement in a loyalist attack south of the Border.
This man confessed to being responsible for the Pettigo bombing, as well as a bombing at a dancehall outside Pettigo on June 23, 1974. He was convicted in the Special Criminal Court in November 1976 and received a 15-year sentence. At the time of both bombings, he was a serving member of the UDR. This man was apprehended near Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, on May 16, 1976, carrying a firearm. While in custody, he named all of his accomplices in the Fermanagh UVF who were involved in numerous attacks. Most of these named individuals were also serving members of the UDR and RUC reserve.
After 50 years, investigations into the bombings in Belturbet, Clones, and Pettigo, which took place on December 28, 1972, have been reopened. Surely, this will lead to appeals for new information regarding the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in 1974.
The question arises: Why are new investigations necessary when the man responsible for the Pettigo bombing already provided the names of all his alleged accomplices during his trial? These names are on the court record. Only the families affected by the car bomb in our street will remember that night after 50 years, but they remember it daily. I have been informed that the bombing of Pettigo in September 1973 is not within the remit of the December 1972 bombings investigations team. But why not? If John Kells Ingram were here today, the title of his famous poem might be “Who Fears to Speak of ’73.”
Joseph Reid, Termonfeckin, Co Louth
Trust is scarce during this uncertain time
Sir — Your paper extensively covered the recent far-right protests at the Dáil, but with minimal answers. Sam McBride came closest when he described the only clear message as anger (‘Don’t underestimate the power of conspiracy theories to stir hatred’). While emotions may not guide us toward good policy decisions, we must recognize their power in mobilizing public opinion.
A few years ago, Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. presidential candidate and current U.S. Secretary of Transportation, wrote a thought-provoking book called “Trust.” In it, he argued for the necessity of trust in personal, social, and political spheres. He pointed out how social media companies have eroded trust and instead exploited controversy for profit. He referred to the technology underlying social media algorithms as “amoral.”
In these prosperous yet volatile times, trust is more important than ever, yet increasingly elusive. Major technology companies and media outlets feed into the undercurrent of dissatisfaction in a largely secular Western world. Wealth inequality lies at the root of much of this anger, and it’s important to note that wealth, not just income, drives this disparity. Ownership equates to power, and it is this craving for power that breeds a sense of unease. We live in perilous times. The question of who or what we can trust has never been more crucial.
Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry
The enduring consequences of alcohol
Sir — As Budget 2024 approaches, the alcohol industry is sure to engage in its usual lobbying efforts, advocating for reduced taxes and extolling the benefits it brings to communities and employment. However, we now possess more knowledge about alcohol than ever before, including its classification as a known carcinogen. Unfortunately, many people seem oblivious to this fact. The costs associated with the damage caused by alcohol far exceed the revenue generated through taxes. Moreover, some damage cannot be quantified in monetary terms.
Stories abound in our country that exemplify the dark side of alcohol. It’s not all about the happy, content faces depicted in catchy TV advertisements. Twelve years ago, we tragically lost our 19-year-old son to suicide, with alcohol playing a contributing role. We spent two agonizing weeks scouring the river for his body, an experience that will forever haunt us.
This is the reality of living in the aftermath of alcohol abuse. We mustn’t forget the deep scars it leaves on individuals and families.
John Higgins, Ballina, Co Mayo
Thank you, Luke O’Neill, for pushing me forward
Sir — Professor Luke O’Neill’s articles are a delight to read. They are informative, devoid of unnecessary jargon, and straight to the point. A few weeks ago, he suggested trying to walk 2,000 steps a day as an alternative to the commonly cited goal of 10,000 steps. Inspired by his advice, I started increasing my daily step count, and now I’ve reached 5,000 steps. While I have no aspirations of climbing Mount Everest or emulating elite runners, I can certainly increase my physical activity.
I want to express my gratitude to Luke for motivating this old-timer to step out of the armchair and engage in a bit of exercise. We could all benefit from a little more common sense like his.
Terry Healy Riordan, Kill, Co Kildare
Retrofit costs are out of touch with reality
Sir — David Quinn astutely argues that there is a limit to how much people will pay to combat climate change. Doesn’t he have a point? The average cost of an Electric Ireland Superhomes retrofit is €56,000 gross or €37,000 net of grants – a sum that would deter most ordinary individuals. For older and larger houses, the costs can skyrocket beyond this already exorbitant average.
It’s in our nature not to vote against our own interests. We must confront this unpleasant truth. Households are already grappling with substantial financial burdens, and it is unrealistic to expect them to bear the additional load of retrofit costs when they struggle to meet basic necessities.
Andy Hales, Kenmare, Co Kerry
Digital exclusion harms the elderly
Sir — Banks have profited billions of euros from using cash, yet they now want us to go cashless, a sentiment shared by many businesses. Once we transition to a cashless society, there is no going back.
It is lamentable that the concept of equality has been supplanted by the pursuit of profit. I, as a 77-year-old, do not use mobile phones or any internet technology. In Ireland, there are 680,000 older people who do not have an online presence. We are forcing the elderly to engage in activities they may not be capable of doing, and they are particularly susceptible to online fraud.
While it’s wonderful that younger generations have embraced digital transactions, we must not overlook the challenges faced by their parents and grandparents.
Patrick McLaughlin, Burnfoot, Co Donegal
Taking a proactive approach to power cuts
Sir — It seems that when faced with power cuts, we merely react by dispatching crews to remove fallen trees. Perhaps it would be more effective if power company crews proactively identified and cut down trees that pose a threat to power lines. Rather than trying to fix the problem after the fact, let’s prevent it from occurring in the first place.
We need a proactive approach. Identifying trees that are likely to cause damage to cables is a problem that can be solved. So let’s take action before the issue arises. Prevention is better than cure, and expensive fixes only contribute to our already soaring energy bills.
Maurice Fitzgerald, Shanbally, Co Cork
Supporting children in gender care
Sir — Mark Tighe’s insightful article on the demonization of Donal O’Shea raises serious concerns about the future of gender care for vulnerable children. It’s troubling that the HSE is engaging with lobby groups that advocate for “affirmative…”
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