EVENTS are being organised to mark the memory of a "much-loved" modern languages teacher who was murdered during the Troubles. 

Eva Martin was killed on May 2, 1974 at Clogher Deanery by the Provisional IRA. 

She was the first UDR CGC Greenfinch soldier to be murdered during the terrorist campaign. 

In Mrs. Martin's memory, a Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving will take place tonight (Thursday) at 7.30pm, which will follow an Act of Remembrance which will take place at her graveside within the adjoining graveyard at 6.30pm.

Lisnaskea-based SEFF are helping organise events, while others are also involved, including Reverend Rodney Beacom, Lisbellaw Presbyterian Church, Fivemiletown College, Lisbellaw Primary School and the UDR CGC Association Clogher branch. 

A statement from Mrs. Martin's family described the 50th anniversary of her death as "significant".

“50 years is a significant period of time but in some ways the last 50 years have also been frozen in time. On 2nd May 1974 our lives as a family would forever change and the events of that would have a significant impact on all our futures.

“Eva was a much-loved daughter, sister, and wife. We were a large family - there were 9 of us including Eva and we were blessed to have good parents who cared for us and who provided for our needs.

“Eva had a love for languages and on completion of her studies took up employment as Head of Modern Languages at Fivemiletown High School. She really enjoyed her time there and she was very popular with staff colleagues, parents, and pupils alike."

Speaking on the anniversary, SEFF's Director of Services, Kenny Donaldson, said: “While teaching Eva joined the part-time UDR CGC as a Greenfinch. She was stationed in Clogher Deanery, and it was there that Eva was murdered during a mortar attack on the barracks. 

“Eva was married to the late Richard Martin. Her early education saw her attend Enniskillen Collegiate Grammar School, before attending Trinity College Dublin. 

“Eva was the first female member of the security forces to have her life stolen because of the terrorist campaign, three others were to follow and many more male colleagues."