Memorial to workers killed by car bombs

A bronze sculpture of flowers strewn across the ground is to mark the spot where three young Dublin bus workers were killed by car bombs 30 years ago.

The Fallen Bouquet is to be sculpted by the son of Thomas Duffy, one of the men who lost their lives in the bombings at Sackville Place.

Mr Duffy, 23, was working as a bus conductor when he and 29-year-old driver George Bradshaw were killed on December 1, 1972.

Just weeks later bus conductor Thomas Douglas, 21, died in the same street when another car bomb exploded.

Thomas Duffy’s son – also named Thomas – said the sculpture in memory of the three men will feature roses, thistles, lilies, forget-me-nots and irises cast in bronze and set into paving stones on the street.

The memorial, which will be accompanied by a plaque dedicated to the men, was given the go-ahead by Dublin city council last week and is expected to be completed next summer.

“It’s called a Fallen Bouquet because that’s literally what it is,” said Mr Duffy, 29. “It’s as if somebody had dropped a bouquet and the flowers had scattered across the ground.

“The idea came to me at the remembrance ceremony in Sackville Place last year. I was struck by the impermanence of the wreaths that were laid, and decided to create something more permanent.

“Although it will be a public sculpture it will also have very private resonances.”

Mr Duffy, who trained as a sculptor at Dublin’s National College of Art and Design, said he would create the memorial at his studio in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, before bringing it to be set in the pavement of Sackville Place.