Joan’s relatives, Tommy and Emily Bullock, who were in their early 50s, were murdered by the IRA on the 21st of September, 1972, in their home at Aghalane on the Co. Fermanagh border with Co. Cavan. The gunmen visited other homes in the area before arriving at the Bullock’s rural home. They shot Emily first, then Tommy. Tommy was a part time member of the Ulster Defence Regiment. Members of the local community were intimidated out of speaking about the murders. The Bullock’s house was abandoned for a decade after the attack.
