Sunday 1 November 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 report progress in 1972 Belturbet bombing investigation

A 100lb no-warning bomb concealed in a parked Ford Escort exploded on the main street of Belturbet, County Cavan, at 10.38pm on 28 December 1972, killing 15-year-old Geraldine O'Reilly of Belturbet and 16-year-old Patrick Stanley of Clara, County Offaly, and injuring dozens. Gardaí have been trying to identify a man suspected of driving the car containing the bomb. The investigation was reopened around 2022, and Gardaí are working with the PSNI and Interpol. In March 2024 a file on the case was reported to be near completion and ready for the Director of Public Prosecutions, and in March 2026 Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said significant progress had been made and new lines of inquiry opened, though no charges have been brought and nobody has been convicted.

  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, Geraldine O'Reilly and Patrick Stanley, and injured dozens of others.
Where
The bombing took place on the main street of Belturbet, County Cavan.
When
The bomb exploded at 10.38pm on 28 December 1972.
Weapon
The device was a 100lb no-warning bomb concealed in a parked Ford Escort.
Investigation
  • Gardaí reopened the investigation around 2022 and are working with the PSNI and Interpol.
  • Gardaí have been trying to identify a man suspected of driving the car containing the bomb.
  • A file on the case was reported to be near completion and ready for the Director of Public Prosecutions in March 2024.
  • Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said in March 2026 that significant progress had been made and new lines of inquiry opened.
Charges
It is understood Gardaí believe they have enough evidence to bring charges against some of those involved, but no charges have been brought.
Other details
  • Loyalist terrorists assisted by British Intelligence Services have always been blamed for the attack.
  • Nobody has ever been convicted in relation to the Belturbet bombing.
18 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)
  • whatA no-warning bomb exploded on the main street of Cavan town in 1972. (rte.ie)
  • whatTwo people were killed in the bombing. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe bombing took place in Belturbet, County Cavan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe bomb exploded on the main street of Cavan town. (rte.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)
  • investigationGardaí reopened the investigation into the bombing almost three and a half years ago. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGarda Commissioner Justin Kelly said significant progress has been made in the investigation. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí have opened a number of new lines of inquiry. (rte.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)
  • otherNobody has ever been convicted in relation to the Belturbet bombing. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Mar2026
    Otherrte.ie, follow-up
    Progress made in Belturbet bombing probe - Commissioner

    Follow-up on a 1972 bombing investigation, reported after a cross-border policing conference. No suspect, arrest or charge is mentioned. The article also covers cross-border legacy legislation.

    victim, Patrick Stanley, 16, irish (judged from name)Patrick Stanleyvictim, Geraldine O'Reilly, 15, irish (judged from name)Geraldine O'Reilly
  2. 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