Attempt to blow up the ESB power station in Ballyshannon leaves one man in a critical condition.
A gang's attempt to blow up Cathaleen's Fall hydroelectric power station in Ballyshannon, County Donegal fails. The station, one of the largest Electricity Supply Board (ESB) distribution centres in the Republic of Ireland is located 6 kilometres from the border.
One theory is the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) was involved in the well planned, professional attack. The big question for army and police authorities is whether the attempt is,
The beginning of a concerted campaign of sabotage across the border.
In all 76 kilograms of gelignite had been laid against the main transformers. The plant was ready to blow when one of the intruders touched a live cable. Had the charges gone up the entire £7,500,000 plant would have been put out of action.
ESB staff observing flashes lighting up the sky arrived at the scene. Supervisor Frank Fahy spotted a man hanging on top of the transformer, his clothes almost entirely burned off,
He was in a bad looking state, he was breathing and moving around alright but that was the most you could say for him.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 20 October 1969. The reporter is Ronnie Turner.
