Geoffrey Dunlop and Terry Dunlop released a statement to observe the 50th anniversary of their mother Yvonne Dunlop's death in a Provisional IRA bomb attack at her Ballymena workplace in October 1976.

Yvonne Dunlop was 27 years old at the time of the explosion. She called out a warning to her nine-year-old son Denis, who was thrown through the shop window with his hair alight.

Provisional IRA member Thomas McElwee received a 20-year prison term for possession of explosives and the manslaughter of Yvonne Dunlop. McElwee joined the blanket protest in prison and died on August 8, 1981, aged 23, after 62 days on hunger strike.

The brothers stated that Provisional IRA members ended their mother's life. They said she, Denis, and they were left without protection after her death but noted their own mental resilience.

Denis Dunlop died in 2007 after facing difficulties from the incident. Their father is alive but has health problems.

Geoffrey and Terry Dunlop pointed out that McElwee chose to end his life on hunger strike while their mother had no choice. They said neither McElwee nor others involved have publicly explained the killing or admitted its wrongness.

The brothers had kept quiet for many years. They believe their mother's influence remains with them and plan to remember her as they do every day, particularly around Mother's Day.