The bloodiest year of the troubles

THE morning of July 31, 1972 was bright and sunny. A month into their school holidays, children everywhere awoke and planned their day's adventures. Except, this was Northern Ireland and the country was almost eight months into what would turn out to be the single most bloody year of the conflict.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Aug 2010, 16:58 BST

By December 31, the gruesome death toll would reach a staggering 496. Of those victims, 258 were civilians, 108 regular soldiers and 26 members of the Ulster Defence Regiment. The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) lost 17 members, including the first two members of the RUC reserve. 74 republican and 11 loyalist paramiltaries added to the death count.

Loyalists were responsible for 121 killings and the security forces 85. Republicans were responsible for the biggest number-a total of 279 murders.

Amongst these were nine people in the village of Claudy.

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The quiet village of Claudy came to the world's attention for the most dreadful of reasons that day when three car bombs exploded on the Main Street.

Three car bombs were placed at intervals along the village's Main Street. A thriving rural hub with a mixed religious community, the Main Street was busy with shoppers at the time the bombs went off. Six people died instantly with three others succumbing to their wounds in the awful, grief filled days that followed.

Related topics:Northern Ireland