Nesbitt calls on IRA to come clean about Gordon Gallagher bomb death

Ulster Unionist Victims and Survivors spokesperson, Mike Nesbitt MLA, has applauded the courage of Billy and Pat Gallagher from Londonderry, who have publicly challenged Martin McGuinness to help them find closure over the death of their son, Gordon.

Gordon Gallagher lost his life when a bomb the IRA had left in the garden of his home exploded in 1973. He was nine years old.

Mr Nesbitt said: “It has taken 40 years to put on record that Bloody Sunday was wrong, and I know many in my community have found the truth very uncomfortable. Now it is time to establish the truth about how Gordon Gallagher died. At the time the IRA claimed a passing Army patrol found the device and attached a detonator. How pathetic! Is Mr McGuinness, who was the self-styled Second in Command of the IRA, content to stick with an excuse that is the equivalent of ‘a big boy did it and ran away’? Is that the best these so-called ‘Freedom Fighters’ can come up with?

“The HET have reviewed this case. They say the IRA lied. Gordon’s parents know they lied. We all know they lied. Here is an opportunity for a leading member of Sinn Féin to do the decent thing, and set the record straight. Republicans are making the loudest calls for the truth to be told. Let them walk the walk and tell the truth about their own actions.”