On 28 October 1974 a massive IRA bomb exploded outside the Sandes Soldiers Home which was situated just outside the Ballykinler barracks.

At the time it was full of soldiers on their morning break.

The building caught fire and collapsed. Corporal Coughlan and Private Swanick were killed and thirty three others from the battalion were injured, some badly. In addition two civilian members of staff also died.

There were a number of reasons put forward for the attack on it by the IRA, - the battalion’s involvement at the Maze prison riot, or revenge for the death of Paul Magorrian who was shot by members of the battalion in August. In either case it mattered not, the battalion continued with its task.

The Home was later rebuilt and on a subsequent tour the battalion erected a monument to the two soldiers who had lost their lives there.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Web team would like to thank Ron SUTTON for his assistance in putting this page together. For further information suggested reading is the Regimental History 'COLD WAR WARRIORS' by Lt Col STONE, available at the Regimental Museum