Some 50 years on from their murder at home at Aghalane, Derrylin, Tommy and Emily Bullock were remembered this week with a Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving.

South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) organised the service in collaboration with surviving family members, 4UDR CGC Regimental Association, the UDR CGC Regimental Association (Lisnaskea Branch), Maguiresbridge LOL 1527, and Maguiresbridge Silver Band.

Held on Sunday, September 18, the service was held in the Church of Ireland in Derrylin where Tommy and Emily are buried, with the service conducted by Rev. Alastair Donaldson.

In a statement following the service, and speaking on behalf of the family, the Bullocks' niece, Dianne Woods, said: “The double murder is regarded by many as being particularly brutal; not alone in the act itself, but also because of the callous activities of local Republicans in the aftermath of the murder who obstructed the hearse cortege, as well as having rung through offensive messages to an abattoir rendering plant.”

She continued: “Emily used to lie on the landing in a sleeping bag, watching for Tommy to return from duty – she knew then that he was safe for another night.

“Emily always used to say that if anyone tried to come and get Tommy it would be over her dead body, and chillingly, that is literally what happened.”

Continuing, the family statement said: “50 years on, we renew our call for information concerning the identities of those who murdered Tommy and Emily, but also who planned the heinous attack as well as covering up after the event.

“Tommy and Emily Bullock’s lives mattered; there was absolutely no justification for their brutal murders, nor for the treatment meted out by sections of the local community following the events of September 21, 1972.”

SEFF's Director of Services, Kenny Donaldson, said: "The murders of Tommy and Emily Bullock were cruel acts of sectarian- and ethnic-fuelled hatred; they were murdered when at their most vulnerable – watching TV in their cherished family home.

"The Provisional IRA had no right to force their way into that home, and to murder two innocent people who were loved and respected by others from across the community."

Mr. Donaldson added: "Neither Tommy nor Emily Bullock were 'legitimate targets' for Provisional IRA terrorists. No-one had the right to extinguish their lives, nor to disrespect them in death, as was the case.

"We join with the family in calling for those who continue to possess information concerning this crime to belatedly demonstrate some decency in coming forward and accounting for the happenings of almost five decades ago."