The Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon is welcoming news that the Mayor in Rhodes, Greece has commissioned a plaque in honour of three Limerick women who lost their lives in a tragedy on the island in 1972.
Thirty two people, including Limerick women Theresa O’Shaughnessy, from Sir Harry's Mall, Mary Allen, St Mary's Park and Josephine Deenihan, North Circular Road died when a blaze engulfed the Oscar Restaurant on the island on the 25th September 1972.
A faulty electrical system and the highly flammable bamboo walls meant the building was gutted within minutes.
Mayor O’Hanlon said: “I’m delighted the Mayor and Municipality of Rhodes has decided to erect a plaque honouring all the people who perished in the fire. It was a massive tragedy, which should be commemorated. Back in 1972, foreign travel was not as commonplace as it is today, so a trip to Rhodes would have been something very special, and to think of the awful tragic events that unfolded is unimaginable.”
“I would like to pay tribute to those who have continued to look at ways of remembering the victims as a mark of respect and ensure that they have not been forgotten by those in their homeplace.”
A memorial is due to take place in Rhodes in September.
