Family told of development in joe stanleys campaign on the morning he died

THE family of an Offaly man who for decades had campaigned for justice for his murdered son were given news of a possible breakthrough in the case on the morning he died.

Clara man Joe Stanley died following an illness at St James’s Hospital in Dublin on Thursday, May 7. He was 81 years old.  

He had spent over 40 years campaigning for justice for his 16 year-old son Paddy, who was murdered by a UVF bomb in December 1972. Paddy had been working as a delivery man during his holidays when he was killed by a bomb in Belturbet, Co Cavan. The explosion also claimed the life of 15-year-old Geraldine O’Reilly.

Speaking of his campaign, Joe’s daughter Susan said: “The man was heartbroken from the time it happened. It was terribly tough for all of us to see that in your dad.”

Susan revealed that she had written to the Department of Justice and the then Garda Commissioner two years earlier around the time her mother had passed away. Susan had seen it as the family’s last chance. She was delighted when two “extremely nice” senior Gardai from Monaghan Garda Station visited the family in Clara. These gentlemen listened to the family and put a case together for a suspect to be questioned, Susan said.

On the morning her father passed away she got news that “the PSNI are actually going ahead to question (the named individual) about the Belturbet bombing of 1972,” Susan revealed. Although her father was gravely ill, Susan said: “I reckon he knew and that was why he went.”

“We were sad that we didn’t get it the day before,” she admitted, adding, “I think in some respects my dad knew.” Susan said the family will continue Joe’s campaign for justice for Paddy.  

She praised the staff at St James’s Hospital in Dublin where Joe spent his final seven months. She said of the staff, “they looked on him not just as a patient but as somebody they came to know and look out for.”

Susan recalled the better days with her father, who had worked in Goodbody’s in Clara. “He loved his greyhounds, he loved Mullingar, he loved going to the races in Mullingar. He loved playing cards, he loved his grandchildren. He was such a family orientated man, he loved a party going on around him,” she remarked.

When he was in hospital, a day didn’t pass when if any of his children were in Clara messages would be sent to Joe.  “We almost had to go home and write down how many people were asking for him,” said Susan.

“He was an extremely well loved man, not just by his family but by the community as a whole and I think that is rare these days,” she added.

Clara Town FC posted the following tribute to Joe on their Facebook page: “It’s with great sadness, that all of us at Clara Town FC heard of the passing of Joe Stanley. Joe was a stalwart of the club, from his early years with all the underage teams he managed, to his wonderful achievement of reaching an FAI youth cup semi-final in 1983 and his help and guidance for the club and coaching of countless teams at all levels.

“For decades, Joe was involved in all aspects of the club, whatever that was needed to be done he did.

“From committee level, to fundraising and ticket selling, down to pitch cutting and marking, all to make sure the game was played. No job was too big or too small,” the tribute continued.

“However, one of his greatest achievements, was the sense of pride, passion and a genuine love for the game and his players that he had, and that he then instilled in them for the game and the club.

“Many of his former players saw him as not only a mentor but a friend and father figure, who was there for them on and off the pitch.

“It was these qualities that Joe, along with his sadly missed late wife Teresa, passed on to their own family. All of whom have been active members of the club through the years, from management, coaching and committee level to their never ending help and support through fund raising and participation in any and all events the club runs.

“It’s to them and all of Joe’s grandchildren and great grandchildren, that we offer our deepest condolences on his passing and our heartfelt thanks, from all of us, for his years of dedication. He will be sadly missed.”

Joe was laid to rest last in Clara alongside the remains of his wife Teresa last Sunday. He is survived by his children Vincent, Bernadette, Gretta, Mary, Martin, Karen, David, Roger and Susan.