MARKING the 50th anniversary of the Brougher mountain bomb – an atrocity that took the lives of five men – SEFF paid tribute by publishing a special film on its Facebook page which included a short tribute-themed service facilitated by Reverend Alan Irwin, of Colaghty Church of Ireland, Lack.

On February 9, 1971, five innocent civilians were murdered by The Provisional IRA at Brougher mountain near Trillick, County Tyrone.

The men died as they travelled by Land Rover to repair a BBC transmitter.

A bomb believed to be intended for the army was detonated when the vehicle ran over a trip wire at knee height.

The vehicle was blown to pieces around 9.15am, with debris thrown 400 yards down the mountain as a result of the blast, which left a 5ft crater.

Three of the murdered men worked for a Kilkeel-based firm: John Eakins (52), a married father of seven; James Henry (Harry) Edgar (26); and George Beck (43), a married father of two.

Meanwhile, two BBC engineers died alongside them: William Thomas (35), a married father of two, and David Henson (23, and known as Malcolm), who was engaged.

Assisted by information provided by the BBC and McMullen and Sons, SEFF has reached out to all the families to establish their wishes in marking the 50th anniversary of the atrocity.

In a statement, Kenny Donaldson, SEFF’s Director of Services, explained: “50 years ago there was a huge loss of innocent lives at Brougher mountain, yet little is known of those events beyond the immediacy of those impacted.

"We felt it absolutely essential that this milestone anniversary be acknowledged and that the families be recognised for the horrific loss they sustained, for which little attention has ever been given.

“Now, 50 years later, we have secured the consent and wishes of the families that a granite plaque marking the atrocity be placed at the site, and we are indebted to the landowner and also Arqiva, who now manage the transmitter at Brougher mountain, for working positively with us in facilitating the placement of the plaque."

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a communal gathering involving the five families could not be held on the anniversary date itself, but with their consent, SEFF will instead place the plaque at the site on Saturday, October 2, when a short service of dedication will also be held.

Determined to mark the anniversary on February 9, SEFF published a tribute film at its Facebook page, SEFF Victims and Survivors (@SEFF.Victims), at 9.15am on Tuesday morning, which included the service facilitated by Rev. Irwin.

The tribute also fittingly reflected the actions of David Henson’s father, Leonard, who travelled to Brougher mountain on a yearly basis to play the Scottish lament, ‘Lakeland Hill’, at the scene where his beloved son was stolen from him.