The Daniel O'Connell monument at Glasnevin Cemetery is damaged in a bomb explosion.

The explosion occurred at 4am in the tomb beneath the Daniel O'Connell monument shooting up the inside of the 168 foot tower. Within minutes Gardaí had cordoned off the area and technical experts have been examining the debris for clues.

Tom McCaughren speaks to Lieutenant Colonel Patrick McCourt about the damage. Describing the scene McCourt says,

The stairs have completely collapsed

Debris also hit the nearby church damaging the roof. The report shows debris being removed from the tower.

An RTÉ News report by Tom McCaughren broadcast on 17 December 1971.

The attack was later attributed to Loyalist paramilitaries in reprisal for the destruction of Nelson’s Pillar on O’Connell Street. The Daniel O'Connell round tower was built between 1855 and 1869 and commemorates the man who had established Glasnevin cemetery in 1832.