THE daughters of a man killed in an explosion have spoken of their honour be invited to the dedication of a plaque in Donegal in memory of their father.

Sergeant Ronald Beckett, from Hereford, was a soldier with the Royal Ordnance Corps and was a bomb disposal expert, holding the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was assigned to Lisanelly barracks in Omagh.

Sergeant Beckett was killed while trying to defuse a bomb planted by the Provisional IRA at Tullyhommon Post Office.

His children, Lynne and Lisa, were aged just two and five years of age, respectively, at the time.

The women have been invited by the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) to attend the service of thanksgiving at Templecarne, Church of Ireland, Pettigo, on Sunday, August 31 at 3pm.

In a statement ahead of the event, Lisa and Lynne said: “We were very young children when our father was murdered, aged just two and five years. He was a young man at just 37 years, and our mother was left a young widow and mother, her entire world was turned upside down.

“We grew up without having a father to guide us and to protect us, but we had a very loving mother, we look back now and reflect on the impact it must have had on her, she truly was an amazing lady who had such inner strength and courage.

“Our Mum lived for us and ensured that we had what we needed, that we were afforded the very best possible childhood that we could have, against the backdrop of what happened.”

The statement continued: “We also recognise the impact the events of August 30, 1973 had upon the people of Pettigo, and we feel blessed to now have the opportunity after all these years to meet some of these special people.

“For us coming back to Fermanagh and the Pettigo area (just across the border) does evoke some strong emotions within us, but we have confidence that through the support of SEFF, local people in that area and our own loved ones travelling with us that we will get through things, and we pray that we will experience healing as a consequence,” concluded the Beckett sisters.

Meanwhile, SEFF’s Director Kenny Donaldson stated: “SEFF are honoured and privileged to work alongside the Beckett family and Templecarne Parish Church and community in facilitating a remembrance service including the dedication of a plaque, thus appropriately honouring Ronald Beckett.

“Ronald was dragging a 20lb Provisional IRA bomb from a post office in the border town of Tullyhommon when the bomb exploded. He died from multiple injuries caused by the explosion.

“Two car loads of Provisional IRA terrorists crossed the border at Pettigo and had placed bombs in a customs station, car garage, shop and the post office. They stole cash and postal orders from the post office.

“Part of the Provisional IRA gang went to a garage they had previously bombed. When they arrived, they lined up the staff at gunpoint outside and asked them their names and addresses.

“The owner was a UDR CGC member and when he gave his name, one of the men tried to shoot him. He ran to his house 100 yards away as they chased him, firing after him. He collected his legally held firearm and returned fire on the terrorist gunmen. During the incident, a 13-year-old boy from Pettigo, who worked in the garage, was shot in the arm by one of the gunmen”.

Mr Donaldson continued: “This is yet again another murder and incident which has largely been airbrushed away, we are determined that Ronald Beckett’s name is not forgotten, that the courage he demonstrated within his role as a bomb disposal officer is honoured and that we do what we can to support his surviving family, now that we are connected.

“We encourage the community to support the Beckett family through attending this upcoming Remembrance and Thanksgiving service. We’re indebted to Rev Charlie Eames for working closely with us in facilitating this service,” concluded Mr Donaldson.