Survivors and households of these killed within the Claudy bombings 50 years in the past will collect within the quiet Co Londonderry village later to mark the anniversary.
A cross-community service with readings and hymns will happen on the memorial within the village.
Nine individuals, Catholics and Protestants, had been killed and 30 injured when three automotive bombs exploded within the village on July 31 1972.
The victims included nine-year-old Kathryn Eakin, who had been cleansing the home windows of her household’s grocery enterprise, Patrick Connolly, 15, and 16-year-old William Temple.
The adults killed had been Artie Hone, 38, Joseph McCluskey, 39, Elizabeth McElhinney, 59, James McClelland, 65, Rose McLaughlin, 52, and David Miller, 60.
The assault was blamed on the Provisional IRA, though the group has by no means claimed it.
No one has ever been convicted for the assault.
Several of the bereaved households are persevering with authorized motion in opposition to the Catholic Church after a Police Ombudsman report in 2010 discovered {that a} Catholic priest, the late Father James Chesney, was a suspect.
The report mentioned police, the state and the Catholic Church coated up his suspected function within the bombing.
Victims’ Group South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) has been supporting the households during the last 12 months in growing a variety of initiatives and occasions designed to mark the anniversary.
Director of providers Kenny Donaldson mentioned: “We have enjoyed a relationship with the Claudy families for a number of years but over the last 12 months we have worked collaboratively with all nine bereaved families, injured persons, the churches, schools and a range of others in developing a series of events designed to mark a milestone anniversary of 50 years.”
He added: “The bombings of Claudy were an attack upon the full community of the area and so it proved with nine innocents dying, young and older, male and female, Protestant and Roman Catholic – these neighbours died together and Claudy as a small village was forever changed.
“The bereaved families have shared their lived experiences over recent months with an appointed project facilitator culminating in the production of a publication which will be launched on the day of the anniversary.
“The schools have also developed a digital-based project, working together in partnership looking at the past within Claudy, the present and what they desire for the future.
“There will also be a community-based public service held on Sunday at the Claudy Memorial and within the main car park, commencing at 3pm.”
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter has mentioned the influence of the Claudy bombing nonetheless has a profound influence on the realm after 50 years.
She mentioned: “My thoughts are with the families of the victims and all those affected ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Claudy bombing.
“The events of that day have cast a dark shadow over this village that still remains to this day.
“As a result of this bombing multiple families and a community was torn apart and for many the pain is still as real today as it was when this disgraceful act was carried out.”
Source: www.impartial.co.uk