Five who died in 1970 explosion to be remembered at Volunteer weekend

Tomorrow evening republicans will take part in a special online event to remember them as part of the annual Derry Volunteers Commemoration in the city.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the associated lockdown restrictions, a spokesperson for the Derry Republican Graves Association said local republicans had decided to honour their dead this year with a series of online events.

“Like every commemoration or event we do, we always try to ensure that as much planning goes into them as possible and that they are carried out with dignity and respect. Apart from Easter, this weekend would be the next biggest event outside of our annual dinner and local commemorations.

“This year due to COVID-19 and the health and safety restrictions, the programme for the commemorative weekend will all take place online.

“The annual Book of Remembrance event will take place on Saturday at 3 p.m. over Zoom when the names of republicans who have passed away in the city over the course of the last year will be added to the book,” the spokesperson said.

This year the tragic deaths of five people in a fire in a house in Dunree Gardens on June 26, 1970, will be the poignant focal point of the commemorations.

Leading Derry republican Thomas McCool (40), his daughters Bernadette (9) and Carol (3), and Thomas Carlin (55) and Joseph Coyle (40), also senior republicans in the city at the time, were all killed in the premature explosion of a batch of petrol bombs that were being prepared for use in rioting that was ongoing in the Bogside.

“This Saturday night at 8 p.m. a video will be aired to remember the 50th Anniversary of the deaths of IRA Volunteers Tommy McCool, Joe Coyle, Tommy Carlin and two of Tommy McCool’s children Bernadette and Carol.

“People will be able to watch this on the Derry Sinn Féin Facebook, Twitter and YouTube platforms,” the spokesperson said.

The weekend of remembrance will conclude on Sunday.

“On Sunday at 3 p.m. the annual June Volunteer’s Commemoration will take place on the Derry Sinn Féin Facebook, Twitter and YouTube platforms. This will be followed at 4pm by a day of music on the Song of Rebellion - Live Facebook Page with a large line up of acts. We would like to thank everyone who has helped in putting this weekend together.”