Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6364Bombing causing death · Co. Cavan · 28 Dec 1972

Gardaí close in on suspects in 1972 Belturbet bombing

On 28 December 1972 a 100lbs bomb concealed in a parked Ford Escort exploded in Belturbet, County Cavan, at 10.38pm, killing Geraldine O'Reilly, 15, from Staghall, Co Cavan, and Patrick Stanley, 16, from Clara, Co Offaly, and injuring dozens of others. Loyalist terrorists assisted by British Intelligence Services have always been blamed for the attack. Gardaí made a public appeal for new information more than a year before March 2024 and have been trying to identify a man suspected of driving the car. In March 2024 a file was understood to be near completion for the DPP, with no charges brought and no suspects named.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The bombing killed two teenagers and injured dozens of others.
  • Geraldine O'Reilly, 15, from Staghall, Co Cavan, and Patrick Stanley, 16, from Clara, Co Offaly, died in the blast.
Other details
Patrick Stanley was a gas delivery assistant.
Where
The bombing took place in Belturbet, County Cavan.
When
The bomb exploded at 10.38pm on 28 December 1972.
Weapon
The device was a 100lbs bomb concealed in a parked Ford Escort.
Cause
Loyalist terrorists assisted by British Intelligence Services have always been blamed for the attack.
Investigation
  • Gardaí made a public appeal for new information more than a year before March 2024 and received a positive response.
  • Gardaí have been trying to identify a man suspected of driving the car with the bomb in it.
  • Gardaí are working with the PSNI and Interpol.
  • As of 7 March 2024 a file on the case was understood to be near completion and ready to go to the DPP.
Charges
  • As of 7 March 2024 no charges had been brought and no suspects were named.
  • It is understood Gardaí believe they have enough evidence to bring charges against some of those involved.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe bombing killed two teenagers and injured dozens of others. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatGeraldine O'Reilly and Patrick Stanley died in the blast. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe bombing took place in Belturbet, County Cavan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe bomb exploded at 10.38pm on 28 December 1972. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponThe device was a 100lbs bomb hidden in a parked Ford Escort. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA file on the case is understood to be near completion and ready to go to the DPP. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí have been trying to identify a man suspected of driving the car with the bomb in it. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí made a public appeal for new information over a year before this article and received a positive response. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are working with the PSNI and Interpol. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeIt is understood Gardaí believe they have enough evidence to bring charges against some of those involved. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherLoyalist terrorists assisted by British Intelligence Services have always been blamed for the attack. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Mar2024
    Otheririshmirror.ie, first report
    Gardai close in on evil perpetrators of Belturbet bombing which killed two teens

    Historical case, not previously in the list. Article reports a Garda review with a file near completion for the DPP, but no charges have been brought and no suspects are named.

    victim, Geraldine O'Reilly, 15, irish (judged from name)Geraldine O'Reillyvictim, Patrick Stanley, 16Patrick Stanleysuspect, male