Tributes have been paid from near and far after the death of Countess Mountbatten, aged 93, one of the survivors of the IRA Mullaghmore bomb which killed three members of the Mounbatten family and 15-year-old Enniskillen boy Paul Maxwell.

She will be remembered as an “impressive” and dignified woman, by Paul Maxwell’s father John and as “a very special godmother” by Prince Charles.

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It is almost 38 years since the IRA bomb ripped through the Mountbatten family’s old, green fishing boat, Shadow V on August 27, 1979 as it made its last lobster-pot excursion of the summer holidays in the picturesque County Sligo bay.

Patricia Mountbatten – then known as Lady Brabourne, Queen Elizabeth’s third cousin – suffered serious injuries, but survived the blast, along with her husband and one of her twin sons Timothy Knatchbull. However, she lost her father Lord Mountbatten, her 14-year-old son Nicholas Knatchbull and her mother-in-law the Dowager Lady Brabourne. Also killed in the blast was Paul Maxwell, who was working on the Mountbatten’s boat. Despite her grief and her injuries, including 120 stitches in her face, Countess Mounbatten spent the rest of her life using her own personal experience of loss to help other bereaved parents, through her support of the charities Child Bereavement UK and Compassionate Friends.

The Countess once recalled how she cried every morning on waking for about six months after the IRA bomb attack and she never failed to mention Paul Maxwell when commenting about those who lost their lives. In a book by a bereavement charity, she referred to “the seemingly endless black tunnel” through which those left behind have to pass to reach “the light that truly does appear at the end, and which we eventually found ourselves.”

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Commenting on the Countess’ passing, John Maxwell told The Impartial Reporter: “Countess Mountbatten was an impressive woman. The dignity with which she bore her own suffering and her loss have been an inspiration and example to many.”

Prince Charles paid tribute, saying: “I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of my very special godmother, Lady Mountbatten, whom I have known and loved ever since I can first remember. She played an extremely important part in my life and I shall miss her presence most dreadfully.” A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “The Queen and the Duke are aware and have privately passed on their condolences.”

Two men were tried for their part in the murders: Thomas McMahon from County Monaghan and Francis McGirl from County Leitrim. McGirl was acquitted and died in a farming accident in 1995 and McMahon was released from prison after 18 years under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.