The grandson of Lord Mountbatten who suffered serious injury in the bombing which killed his grandfather in Donegal bay 25 years ago has made a secret return visit in an attempt to piece together the day that tore his life apart.
Mr Timothy Knatchbull, son of Lord Romsey, was one of the three people to escape the 1979 bombing with his life when he was thrown clear by the bomb blast.
Mr Knatchbull is heir to the Mountbatten estate.
His twin brother, Nicholas, was one of the four who died.
The 39-year-old Harvard graduate who works in the family business, Knatchbull Communications Group, is planning to write a book and produce a documentary on his horrific experience when he was 14 years old.
Recently, as part of research into the events of the day, Mr Knatchbull, heir to the Broadlands estate in Kent, accompanied by his secretary, met people who had attended the scene on August 27th, 1979.
A private meeting took place in Finner Army camp between Mr Knatchbull and some of the local men who were there on the day and those who helped remove the remains of his twin brother from the water.
One local said Mr Knatchbull was particularly interested in the events that occurred in the aftermath of the explosion.
Mr Knatchbull's secretary carried out extensive interviews with people who were available to recount their memories of the day. At the meeting, forgiveness for the horrific deed and the political landscape against which it took place were discussed.
The Donegal Democrat's report at the time into the event recounts how the search for the body of Nicholas Knatchbull went on for almost two hours, with small craft and the helicopter from Finner assisting with the remains being recovered.
On the day, the party had gone to check lobster pots. The bomb exploded on board the converted motor launch, Shadow V, 10 minutes after leaving port at 11.30 a.m.
Timothy Knatchbull was thrown clear by its force.
Both his mother and father were on the boat and also escaped with their lives.
Neither Lord Romsey nor Mr Knatchbull wished to comment on the matter other than to confirm that the meeting had occurred.