Family members of an Army bomb disposal expert have returned to the scene of his murder near the border outside Newtownbutler to mark the 40th anniversary of his death.
Sergeant Martin Eamon Walsh(28) was serving with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps as a bomb disposal expert and on January 9, 1977 was investigating a suspect device in a milk churn and attempting to dismantle it when the bomb exploded. It was an anti-handling bomb and the first of its type used in Northern Ireland at the time.
Martin was married to Eve and had two young children at the time, Karen(4) and Andrew(2).
On Monday, Martin’s brothers, Mike and Sean, who have both served in the military, flew over from Wales to place a wreath at the scene of incident. They have visited Fermanagh on numerous occasions previously.
Mike explained how Martin had joined the Military Police initially and then trained as a bomb disposal expert for two years as well as attending a high-threat course becoming a full Corporal.
He had been serving with his unit based in Omagh when the incident occurred.
“During that time Martin had made safe 34 devices,” explained Mike, who said this had protected the public from potential harm.
Mike said Martin’s death took its toll on their father.
“My father was an Irish Catholic from Limerick who met my mother from Lancashire and settled in north Wales. He had moved to England for work,” he said.
In Fermanagh on the day there were more political developments at Stormont, Mike said: “I just hope there is peace really. What has happened is in the past.”
Mike and other family members know more than most about Army life. 
Martin was the eldest in the family and the first to join the Army and several other brothers also served including Mike and Sean who visited Fermanagh on Monday. Sean joined the Army after Martin was killed and Mike had already joined the Royal Military Police.
Monday, January 9 was also the 30th anniversary of the murder of Reserve Constable Ivan Crawford, as a result of a 10lbs IRA bomb hidden in a litter bin at High Street, Enniskillen. He was on foot patrol when the device was detonated by remote control and two of his colleagues were injured.
All litter bins were removed from Enniskillen following the incident.
Kenny Donaldson, Director of Services at the South East Fermanagh Foundation, who co-ordinated the visit by the Walsh family members said: “The Walsh and Crawford families are involved with SEFF and as an organisation we want to extend our thoughts and prayers to both families. 
“Martin Walsh and Ivan Crawford were two courageous men who stepped forward and signed up to their utmost to protect the community from the ravages of terrorism. Their lives were stolen along with many others as they performed their duties honourably and also whilst forever respecting the sanctity of human life.
“On this day and with the wishes of both families we issue a new appeal for information to be brought forward concerning both terrorist murders.”