The dead of the IRA bomb at Harrods are remembered on the 40th anniversary of the atrocity

By Staff Reporter
Published 17th Dec 2023, 20:38 BST
Updated 17th Dec 2023, 22:09 BST
Susanne Dodd, daughter of Inspector Stephen Dodd, killed in the Harrods bomb, and Docklands Victims Association President Jonathan Ganesh laying floral tributes at the memorial plaque outside Harrods Department Store, Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge, London SW1 on Sunday December 17 2023, 40 years after the IRA blast in which six people were killedSusanne Dodd, daughter of Inspector Stephen Dodd, killed in the Harrods bomb, and Docklands Victims Association President Jonathan Ganesh laying floral tributes at the memorial plaque outside Harrods Department Store, Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge, London SW1 on Sunday December 17 2023, 40 years after the IRA blast in which six people were killed
Susanne Dodd, daughter of Inspector Stephen Dodd, killed in the Harrods bomb, and Docklands Victims Association President Jonathan Ganesh laying floral tributes at the memorial plaque outside Harrods Department Store, Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge, London SW1 on Sunday December 17 2023, 40 years after the IRA blast in which six people were killed
The dead and injured of the Harrods bomb were remembered in London yesterday on the 40th anniversary of the IRA blast.

The attack, which was carried out using semtex supplied by the then Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, took place on Saturday December 17 1983, and left six people dead and around 100 people badly injured.

The car bomb left adjacent to the famous department store’s entrance killed three police officers, Inspector Stephen Dodd, Sergeant Noel Lane, and WPC Jane Arbuthnot.

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Three civilians were also killed, Jasimine Cochrance Patrick, Kenneth Salvesen and Philip Geddes.

People gather outside Harrods Department Store, Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge, London SW1 as flowers are laid at the memorial plaque for the IRA bomb on Sunday December 17 2023, the 40th anniversary of the bomb, to honour the six people who were killedPeople gather outside Harrods Department Store, Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge, London SW1 as flowers are laid at the memorial plaque for the IRA bomb on Sunday December 17 2023, the 40th anniversary of the bomb, to honour the six people who were killed
People gather outside Harrods Department Store, Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge, London SW1 as flowers are laid at the memorial plaque for the IRA bomb on Sunday December 17 2023, the 40th anniversary of the bomb, to honour the six people who were killed

Susanne Dodd, daughter of Inspector Dodd, and Jonathan Ganesh, president of the Docklands Victims Association, laid floral tributes at the memorial plaque outside Harrods, Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge, in front of hundreds of bystanders.

A church service was hen held at 1pm at St Paul’s Church, Wilton Place.

Ms Dodd renewed her demand to secure compensation for all those left severely injured and bereaved by IRA/Libya semtex: “I feel betrayed by our own UK government.

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"Why are those who have been left severely disabled in the UK due to Libyan IRA semtex still waiting for compensation?

Church service was held at St Paul’s Church, Wilton Place, after floral tributes were laid outside Harrods Department StoreChurch service was held at St Paul’s Church, Wilton Place, after floral tributes were laid outside Harrods Department Store
Church service was held at St Paul’s Church, Wilton Place, after floral tributes were laid outside Harrods Department Store

"It breaks my heart to think my brave Dad and his colleague saved countless lives 40 years ago today and now it appears the UK government have turned their backs on all the victims.”

Mr Ganesh, who was injured in the 1996 IRA bomb at Canary Wharf, said: "I felt very honoured to attend this memorial today to remember all those killed and injured in this horrific attack.

"I’m determined to continue my support for the Harrods victims and other victims of IRA/Libya sponsored terrorism in the UK.

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"It is very sad to realise that US victims of IRA Libya sponsored terrorism have been compensation years ago.

"The appalling lack of equality is abhorrent and has sadly devalued the life of every UK citizen.”

Related topics:IRALondon