#OnThisDay in 1990 the IRA murdered Patsy Gillespie, 42. Married father of 3. Catholic canteen worker in army base. Used by the IRA as a “human bomb”. Kidnapped & family held hostage while he was forced to drive bomb into military checkpoint at Coshquin near Londonderry #OTD

#OnThisDay in 1990 the IRA murdered David Sweeney, 19. Soldier who was engaged to marry. Bomb exploded when Gillespie arrived at checkpoint with him still in driving seat, killing him & 5 soldiers. IRA holding Gillespie’s widow hostage assured her he would be back #OTD

#OnThisDay in 1990 the IRA murdered Vincent Scott, 21. Soldier due to leave Army 1 month later. Bomb caused enormous damage to checkpoint after which murderers opened fire from southern side of border. 25 houses in nearby estate damaged & 17 civilians treated for injuries #OTD

#OnThisDay in 1990 the IRA murdered Paul Worrall, 23. Soldier engaged to German lady. Step father “Paul lived for the Army & died for it” @BelTel “Just when it appears that this tortured Province has endured every imaginable horror the terrorists introduce a new refinement” #OTD

#OnThisDay in 1990 the IRA murdered Stephen Beacham, 20. Father of 2. Soldier. Bomb estimated at 1,000 lb. @BelTel “After sentencing people to carry bombs to a place of execution for themselves & others what more has the IRA to offer? Do they intend to kill us all? #OTD

#OnThisDay in 1990 the IRA murdered Stephen Burrows, 30. Married father of 1. Soldier. Martin McGuinness justified use of human bomb attacks as “the consequence of Britain’s refusal to accept the Irish people’s right to self determination” #OTD