Atrocities market - Lest we forget

YESTERDAY we marked the 30th anniversary of one of the very darkest days in the North’s Troubles.

On that balmy summer’s day the IRA murdered Lord Louis Mountbatten and 18 soldiers.

The 79-year-old Earl died, as did one of his twin grandsons, Nicholas, 14, and local teenager Paul Maxwell, 15, when his fishing boat was blown up. The Dowager Lady Brabourne, 83, died later from her injuries. Hours later the IRA detonated two 800lb bombs at Warrenpoint. The first killed 16 members of the Parachute Regiment, the second two members of the Queen’s Own Highlanders.

Such atrocities are unimaginable today and, lest we forget, we should take a moment to give thanks that we no longer live in society threatened by terrorism.