McGurk Pub Bombing Belfast

I was a young nurse in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast in the early seventies. On this cold December evening a bomb exploded in the pub killing fifteen people including Mrs. McGurk and her daughter Maria. I heard about the bombing that evening as news travels fast around Belfast. The next morning I turn up for my duties and I had Mr.McGurk in a wheelchair and his little son was brought in,so they could be together. Mr.McGurk was in deep deep shock and he spoke about the pain of his daughter's death. I was so distraught myself that I went to matron and I ask to resign because I could not comfort this lovely man and his son. I went to matron and I told her I could no longer do this job as I had no training to work in war.I had no words of comfort.This bombing touched my heart. I said to matron I have no words to comfort this family. I fled to New York and I witnessed the Vietnam Vets coming home. I was offered political asylum in New York after being introduced to the Kerrymen's Association.They took to me to see a judge but I declined the offer and I returned to the north to work with the children.I worked in a children's home and went on to study and do crisis intervention work for children at risk. I immigrated to Canada in 1980 and I returned to walk a pilgrimage of Peace in 1990.I walked two hundred miles around the north. I had a small napsack and ten dollars in my pocket. I walked a prayed for twenty one days and during my walk Sister Catherine Dunne and three police officers were blown up. She woke me out of sleep and asked me to send healers she said the people had forgotten who they were and then she took me to a swamp and people were falling into it and falling for help.
I was so sick when I returned to Canada I lay in bed for three months. I have said so many prayers for peace. It was Mr. McGurk's graciousness that changed my life. He was so dignified. I pray that the ears that need to hear your hearts be open and more so their hearts.
To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. I was twenty years old then.
For the last twenty years and for the rest of my life I provide love and care for my head injured husband,his grandparents are from Donegal. We have a small orchard on Denman Island on the west coast of Canada. I honor all the relations of the McGurk Family and will never forget that time of great sorrow. Thank you for listening
In Peace
sheila simpson