The only child of a 51-year-old man who was killed when an IRA bomb went off under his car has said that “terrorism appears to have been rewarded at every turn”.

Joseph Calvin, a council worker and part-time policeman, was killed when a bomb went off under his car in Enniskillen on November 17, 1972.

His daughter, Ann Simpson (née Calvin), was speaking ahead of the 50th anniversary of his murder.

She said: “My dad was an incredibly special man. He was everything you could wish for in a father, and when he was stolen away from us, it devastated our lives. He was aged just 51 years old, and I was in my mid-teens, aged just 16.

“My mum, Annie, was broken by what happened. The Provisional IRA didn’t alone murder my father – they murdered my mum’s life as she knew it.

“Shortly after dad was murdered, she took a stroke. She lost her speech and her ability to walk.

“Those were very difficult and challenging years. Mum then passed away in 1984; I was left without parents, and I still hadn’t turned 30-years-old myself.”

Joseph worked for the Fermanagh District Council as a Public Health Inspector, and served part time in the UDR.

Speaking about her father, Ann said: “Dad served in the B-Specials, UDR part-time and latterly as an RUC Reservist.

“He took these roles seriously, and strongly felt convicted to play his part in supporting and protecting the community from the threat posed by terrorism.

“My dad was a very fair man, and never judged someone by their background. He was proud of his own identity, and who he was, having membership of The Loyal Orders, Orange and Black, but he always instilled the need for respect and tolerance of others.”

Ann continued: “We attended St. Macartin’s Cathedral, which is where dad’s funeral took place; a massive funeral which brought Enniskillen to a standstill. However, I was not present at the funeral; it was organised entirely by the police.”

In October, Ann – who is now based in Scotland – and her family returned to Enniskillen for an Act Of Remembrance service at Breandrum Cemetery, organised by the RUC GC (Enniskillen Branch), and Fermanagh District Orange.

The family were touched by the many stories of Joseph they heard that day.

Reflecting on the events and the passage of time, Ann said: “Over the years, I have tried not to be consumed with my grief, and instead live life as my parents would have wanted.

“However, like so many others who have shared this type of experience, I am finding it ever challenging to do so.

“Terrorism appears to have been rewarded at every turn, and those they victimised are an uncomfortable sore for the establishment to have to deal with.

“It saddens me that so many who have terror backgrounds have secured so much political power, and daily they and their apologists gloat. That is not right, and we all deserve so much better,” said Ann.

Kenny Donaldson, South East Fermanagh Foundation’s Director of Services, said: “Joe Calvin was highly-respected within County Fermanagh and beyond.

“He was very much a people-person and over the years we have heard many positive reflections of his life and the type of man that he was.

“There was no justification for the murder of Joe; he was a hard-working man who did his best to provide for his family and to contribute to the community. Our prayers and support remain with Ann and the wider Calvin family circle,” added Mr. Donaldson.