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Pregnant woman who rescued Catholic murder victim’s wife
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Leona Whittaker, who is 10 weeks' pregnant, said her main concern was getting Evelyn to safety
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This is the pregnant woman who risked everything to save tragic Kevin McDaid’s widow.
Leona Whittaker, who is 10 weeks pregnant, was struck on the head as she rescued her friend from the loyalist mob.
The expectant mother-of-one admitted she had been terrified but knew if she didn’t pull Evelyn McDaid from the gang’s violent grasp she too could have died.
Holding back tears as she recounted the horrifc events of Sunday night, Leona said she was left totally “traumatised”.
She explained: “I went to help Evelyn and they launched an attack on me. People were still trying to kick Evelyn as I was lifting her up. I was attacked and hit on the head. I have bumps on my head, there are no cuts on my face but my head is really sore.
“My main concern was for Evelyn, I just went on to auto-pilot.
“I was up at the hospital and got checked out and thankfully everything is ok.
“I am just in total shock, though — Evelyn was my main concern, and getting her out of there. There were about half a dozen of them at her — but I don’t really remember too much about it — I just wanted to get her out. Every time I close my eyes I see what they did to Kevin. I was terrified. I just didn’t know what to do, my main concern was getting Evelyn out of there.”
Ms Whittaker has lived in the Heights area of Coleraine for most of her life and has been close to the McDaid family for three years.
She said the former cross-community worker had been a father figure to everyone in the estate.
Added Leona: “I have known Kevin and Evelyn all my life but we have been neighbours and good friends for three years.
“He was a very good friend and you couldn’t ask for anyone better. He would help anybody out if he possibly could. If you had a job that needed doing he would do it, no problem. We all live in each other’s pockets round here.
“We all help each other. We are in total shock, he was just the kindest person, he was always the one you would go to if you had any problems. He was quiet but a real family man and helped people through their tough days.
“He was a father to everybody, a dad to the whole community — this area has lost a fine man.”
Meanwhile the priest expected to lead Kevin McDaid’s funeral later this week has vowed to speak out against sectarianism.
Fr Charles Keaney said his parishioners in the Heights were outraged and he would address their feelings in his homily.
“To kick somebody’s head like a football — what sort of minds do they have?”
Speaking from the parochial house at Laurel Hill close to the scene of the murder, Fr Keaney paid this tribute: “He was a good, modest family man, a very hard worker. He did a lot of cross-community work, he was a peaceful man. What has happened on Sunday is like something from the dark ages, it is mindless. To have someone just come in and murder somebody else is just evil. It’s not about religion, it’s not about football, it is just evil. We do not want that in our community.”
He added: “I will be offering guidance and comfort for the family reflecting and feeling of the people in the area. They are all very angry and very distraught. It is a very difficult situation for everyone. Kevin McDaid was not a man of violence, he was a man of love, not one who went looking for trouble, and that’s a fact.”
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Lord Jesus, have mercy on us sinners and grant us the guidance and the help we need to be in union with your holy will.
Posted by Seán Mac Eachaidh | 27.05.09, 19:56 GMT
What this group of people have done is very, very sick. I am sure the social Services and Health services could Section any of them.
This is beyond politics - there MUST be a serious mental health issue in that area of NI.
This act is on a par with HITLER, Khemer Rouge, Cambodia, Vietnam attrocities etc!
Posted by John | 27.05.09, 17:41 GMT
The bravery and morality of this lady stands in stark contrast to the mob of loyalist scum who killed a catholic, these brave man who's bitterness is such that they even battered defenceless women.
Posted by gearoid | 27.05.09, 12:12 GMT