Derry Journal Review of the Year 2023: September – Family’s heartache, new homes and loans for operations

The daughter of Sean Dalton said Britain’s ‘legacy bill’ will forever deny her family the opportunity of learning the truth of what happened to their loved one.
By Laura Glenn
Published 3rd Jan 2024, 12:47 BST
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Mr. Dalton, aged 54, and his neighbour Sheila Lewis, aged 68, were killed instantly when an IRA booby-trap bomb was triggered as they were checking on a vulnerable neighbour in Kildrum Gardens on August 31, 1988.

Gerry Curran, aged 57, was badly hurt and died as a result of his injuries on March 31, 1989.

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Speaking on the 35th anniversary of her father’s death, Sean’s eldest daughter Phyllis Kealey, said her family have many questions that remain unanswered such as why a bomb was allowed to remain in a built-up area for several days, and whether or not an informer was involved.

Primary 1 teacher Miss McNutt doing some work with pupils Kai, Athena and Mia as they started school at St. Eugene's PS. Photo: Jim McCaffertyPrimary 1 teacher Miss McNutt doing some work with pupils Kai, Athena and Mia as they started school at St. Eugene's PS. Photo: Jim McCafferty
Primary 1 teacher Miss McNutt doing some work with pupils Kai, Athena and Mia as they started school at St. Eugene's PS. Photo: Jim McCafferty

The Daltons said they believed a fresh inquest is the only way they would get answers but the NI Troubles (Legacy & Reconciliation) Bill will close off that avenue if it becomes law this month.

Also in September, it was announced that over 200 new homes were to be built in a major new housing development in Derry’s northern suburbs as the city continues to expand towards the Donegal border.

The Council’s Planning Committee approved planning permission for 244 new residential dwellings in the Upper Galliagh Road area.

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Two separate developments by Moore Construction NI Ltd. will see hundreds of new homes developed to the north west of the Skeoge Link.

New Miss Derry 2023 Shannon Hutcheon told the Journal she wanted to 'make waves that are felt across the world'New Miss Derry 2023 Shannon Hutcheon told the Journal she wanted to 'make waves that are felt across the world'
New Miss Derry 2023 Shannon Hutcheon told the Journal she wanted to 'make waves that are felt across the world'

Fears were also raised that Derry was becoming ‘a destination for temporary accommodation tourism’ following a 525 per cent hike in expenditure on emergency housing over the past five years.

Foyle MLA Mark H. Durkan expressed serious concern about figures obtained from the Housing Executive (NIHE) which show the amount of money spent on single lets, hotels, B&Bs and specialised accommodation in Derry/Strabane rose from £929,965 in 2018/19 to £5,815,335 in 2022/23.

Also this month, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood claimed the health service has ‘basically collapsed’ in the North with outcomes that would ‘embarrass a third world country’ and that people are taking out loans from the Credit Union to fund private operations.

In Inishowen, it was announced that Lifestyle retailer Carraig Donn would be opening their first store in County Donegal, in the heart of Buncrana, creating a number of jobs.

Related topics:Britain