Memorial service to mark ambassador’s murder takes place

British and Irish Government representatives were attending a memorial service in Dublin today to mark the 25th anniversary of the IRA murder of Britain’s ambassador to Ireland, Christopher Ewart Biggs.

The envoy was blown up in his official car by a land mine just yards from his official home in south Dublin on July 21 1976, 12 days after arriving in Dublin to take up the post.

Northern Ireland Office private secretary Judith Cooke also died in the blast and Permanent Under Secretary Brian Cubbon was seriously injured.

Also badly hurt in the explosion was driver Brian O’Driscoll. He came close to death, but survived and still works at the British embassy in Dublin.

Mr O’Driscoll will be among the congregation at today’s ceremony in Dublin’s St Patrick’s Church of Ireland cathedral.

Also there will be Foreign Minister Brian Cowen as well as other political figures and members of the Dublin-based diplomatic corps.

The present British ambassador to Ireland, Sir Ivor Roberts, will deliver an address.