Claudy Disaster stricken village appeal

The report headlined-'CLAUDY DISASTER-stricken village appeal'-said:

"Monday, July 31, 1972 began like any ordinary day in the small and pleasant village of Claudy. To the 900 inhabitants it was merely the start of another week in the quiet orderliness of their lives.

But, before the day was halfway through a disaster that seared the entire country had shattered the village, killing nine of its people and seriously injuring 30 others and causing scenes of devastation that horrified even those most inured to suffering through three years of mounting havoc.

Now, a month later, the villagers still mourn the victims of three car bomb explosions that ripped through the village centre, disintegrating not only much of the property and creating a death toll that, proportionate terms, was a community disaster, but forever left a legacy of terrible memories to those who survived.

As the entire nation mourned with Derry the Bloody Sunday victims, so too the sympathy of all went out to the village of Claudy in the aftermath of Bloody Monday.

Since that awful day the stories of local people reveal with frightening clarity that the dreadful death toll might well have been far more massive. Two examples suffice to illustrate the deadly point.

Mrs Annie Brown's life was saved because she decided to go out of her house to look for her cat. She was at the bottom of her back garden when the house disentegrated under the force of one of the bombs.

Jim O'Neill was getting ready to bring some milk over to Mrs Brown, who had been away on holiday. But he had waited to finish a pipe and instead of being in the Brown house when it was blown up he was saved by his decision to enjoy his leisurely smoke.

The villagers too will remember the heroism of local policeman Sergeant Desmond Jones, who was off duty, but who alertly noticed a suspicious vehicle and shepherded many people out of the danger area before the bomb went off.

But, now the relief work has begun and hope is replacing the anguish and despair. A disaster fund has been set established with the object of providing at least some consolation to the relatives of the deceased and help towards rebuilding the life of the community. Throughout the month of September the Disaster Fund Committee will be asking for public support for the appeal.

Already much work has been done by the Committee whose officers are-Mr John Eakin, Claudy and members are Rev W McKinney, Messrs Albert Brown, Jack Foley, Patrick Gormley, Peter McGirr. The Treasurers are Messrs George Cowan, Northern Bank, Claudy and Sean O'Dwyer. the Trustees are Messrs Denis Desmond, Frank Guckian, Stephen McGonagle and James L Rankin.

One example of fundraising which the fund organisers have particularly appreciated was the effort of 11 children from Cookstown. they went to Claudy and raised 43 by holding a jumble sale.

All donations to the fund should be sent to 'The Claudy Disaster Fund,' C/o The Northern bank Ltd, Claudy, Co Derry."