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Thousands in Northern Ireland attend peace vigils after horrific murders
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
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Thousands of Northern Ireland people today displayed a united front as they stood in silent protest against the sudden resurgence in terrorist violence.
After the deaths of three security force members in three days, trade union members and others were gathering in Belfast, Londonderry, Lisburn, Newry, Downpatrick and other centres to show their anger and disgust.
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Their collective silence sent out a clear “get off our backs” message to republican splinter groups and other paramilitaries.
Almost all the rallies, reminiscent of the Peace People demonstrations from the 1970s, were organised by the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to face down the terrorists’ “agenda of sectarianism”.
They were designed to maintain the unity of purpose characteristic of the response since the Real IRA’s pizza delivery killing of two soldiers on Saturday and the Continuity IRA murder of the first PSNI officer to be killed, Stephen Carroll.
Even as the province came together in condemnation, police in Fermanagh were investigating reports that a shot was fired in the Drumeer Road area of Maguiresbridge last night.
As a peace vigil was also due to be held near the site of the Craigavon killing, it also emerged floral tributes left at the scene of Constable Carroll’s murder were destroyed during minor trouble last night.
Several youths set fire to wheelie bins just after 9pm and uprooted flowers left by shocked residents and devastated colleagues of the officer shot dead as he responded to a call to the Lismore Manor estate on Monday.
Independent councillor Kieran Corr said those responsible displayed disrespect. “What they have done is not what the people here think. The fact these flowers were left here as a mark of respect, they should have respected that,” he added.
Above: Mark Quinsey, Stephen Carroll and Patrick Azimkar
Trouble in the adjacent Ardowen estate broke out after the arrests of two men — one 17 and the other 37 — in connection with police officer Carroll’s murder.
The Pope today denounced the murders as “abominable attacks of terrorism” that endanger the political process aimed at achieving peace and justice.
He was addressing pilgrims in St Peter’s Square and called for increased efforts at dialogue to build a society that is peaceful, just and reconciled.
Ahead of the mass shows of rejection, Peter Bunting, assistant general secretary of the ICTU, said workers must unite to ensure the peace process “was not derailed”.
“This show of strength from civil society will send a clear message to the killers, who do not deserve the monopoly of the word ‘dissident’,” he said.
“The word is too good for them. They are delinquents. A clear message will also go to the outside world. They [the paramilitaries] must be faced down with a massive display of the unity of the people of Northern Ireland. We are determined not to be assigned into tight sectarian boxes,” said Mr Bunting.
The rallies were also being supported by the Ulster Farmers Union, NI Council for Voluntary Action and the Confederation of British Industry, as well as the main churches and migrant community organisations.
And in Dublin, a Dail motion agreed by all the parties welcomed the ICTU rallies “to enable people to express their grief and anger at these murders, recognising that this is in the best traditions of the non-sectarian trade union movement in Northern Ireland”.
The lunchtime gatherings also picked up on the theme of solidarity established by the political parties in the Assembly — where MLAs stood in silent tribute to the slain Army and police officers — and the First and Deputy First Minister.
Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness again met with the leaders of all the parties following their security briefing by PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde, and also with the leaders of the four main churches at Stormont Castle.
The DUP leader and his Sinn Fein partner in government were today finally flying out to the United States, four days late, but encouraged by the fact that the politicians and civic society have been galvanised by the atrocities.
They flew out together from Heathrow mid-morning, after twice postponing the trip, en route to Los Angeles, with officials working to revamp their schedules.
Mr Robinson said: “I am glad that every party in the Assembly is solidly in support of the Chief Constable, is solidly of the view that we should not turn back from that which we have put our hand to: that’s the kind of unity that can defeat anybody.”
And Mr McGuinness underpinned the show of unity by saying: “We are going to remain united in our approach and ultimately we will prevail.”
Boosted by the common front adopted in two separate emergency Assembly debates on Monday and Tuesday, the two top Ministers were expected to emphasise the need for investment to bolster the power-sharing administration.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen, who spoke by telephone to Gordon Brown last night to review the security situation on both sides of the border, was expected to lead a debate in the Dail on a motion condemning the murders.
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Comments
589 Comments
May God continue to bless the families of these fine men, who have given their lives to the service of others.
Posted by stephen carroll | 26.07.09, 23:24 GMT
I am a serving Met Officer whose family comes from N. Ireland, where I too lived for a time. My eldest son is currently serving in the Army, a job he loves, and of which we are very proud.
Aside from the sadness of this event for the good people of Ireland, my thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of those killed. May they rest in peace.
Chris D.
Posted by Chris D | 21.05.09, 12:56 GMT
I am so sorry to hear of your loss caused by shameless individuals. God will bear witness to their actions. Bless you.
Posted by Marion | 13.04.09, 07:10 GMT
God bless the families and friends of police officer and soldiers: Mark Quinsey, Stephen Carroll and Patrick Azimkar. May you be kept safe and be strong, and this investigation runs smoothly.
My thoughts are with you as a serving police officer and mother.
Tara - Metropolitan Police.
Posted by Tara Wilson | 11.04.09, 10:58 GMT
How terribly sad to lose fine young men in this way. The cowards who murdered them will be found and brought to justice.
Posted by S Hill | 07.04.09, 14:47 GMT
How terribly sad to lose fine young men in this way. The cowards who murdered them will be found and brought to justice.
Posted by S Hill | 07.04.09, 14:47 GMT
I'm a serving police officer in London and I don't pretend to understand all the politics in N Ireland, but I find it appaulling that such callous murderers should think that they would gain anything by the cold blooded execution of Stephen Carroll who was answering a call for help by the public he serves. Worst still, even as they faced death, the two soldiers lay their lives on the line to save the pizza delivery guys... This is a perfect example of why the Irish people deserve better lives, to live in peace and to settle their differences in such a way that the families and friends of the victims on all sides can put to rest this bloody history. My sincere condolences to the family of these 3 lads for now, and hope that my wife and children will not have to suffer this terrible tragedy. You will not be forgotten.
Posted by Jason. MET | 07.04.09, 09:27 GMT
It is at times like these when we need to unite against aggression and terrorism and demonstrate to those people that we will not be deterred from the peace process. My thoughts go out to the families of the murdered soldiers and police officer, jobs that society require us to do but which carry real and present dangers. Condolencies from a sadenned mainlander.
Posted by E Toms | 07.04.09, 08:46 GMT
Once again those that serve pay the ultimate price. God bless all three of you
Posted by Mike (Met Police) | 06.04.09, 21:38 GMT
Another officer paying the ultimate price seving their community! Our thoughts are with the family and friends.
Posted by Peter Baggs | 06.04.09, 12:01 GMT
It saddens me that once more we are returned to the dark days of the past. Three brave men who were trying to bring peace, taken from their families and loved ones by those who have no understanding of what they have done or the pain they have caused to those left behind.
R.I.P Mark QUINSEY, Stephen CARROLL and Patrick AZIMKAR.
Posted by derek foley | 06.04.09, 08:09 GMT
As a serving Met Police Officer with over 21 years service and originally from Lisburn, I would like to add my condolences to the Family & Friends of those great men who lost their lives by these cowardly acts. My thoughts are also with those delivery boys who were shot for no other reason than delivering pizza to an Army Barracks. We owe a lot to the dedicated women of the PSNI & Armed Forces.
Posted by Met Police | 04.04.09, 07:17 GMT
You were targets because you were willing to stand up. Those of us that do the same won't forget and neither should anyone else. Deepest sympathies to all of your families.
Posted by Rhys | 03.04.09, 19:09 GMT
I would also like to add my family's condolence to all the family, friends and colleagues of these brave young soldiers and the PSNI officer who so tragically lost their lives....justice will be done.
Posted by The Bell Family | 03.04.09, 18:55 GMT
Im a serving Police Officer and was saddened as always when another officer is killed in the line of duty, but to have 2 young lads who were only just beginning their life gunned down as well was heartbreaking. Death of a loved one is never easy,and the manner in which they all died was pure cowardice on the part of the person/s responsible. My heart goes out to the families of all of them and I hope they can find peace . They should be very proud and we will never forget them.
Posted by Maggie (Met Pol) | 03.04.09, 17:38 GMT
I pray for the family and friends of these very brave and dedicated men. God Bless their souls
Posted by Violet | 03.04.09, 13:20 GMT
To the families and friends who have suffered the untimely and tragic loss of these brave men. Know that they are at peace. And know that those who took their lives will pay for their abhorrent crimes for eternity.
My thoughts are with you.
Posted by Emma. MPS | 02.04.09, 14:24 GMT
As a serving police officer in London and part of a military family I would like to offer my condolences to the families of all the fallen men who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting others. The people responsible for their deaths are cowards who hopefully will be bought to justice soon . RIP you are all heroes.
Posted by sam MET | 01.04.09, 21:43 GMT
As a Police Officer with nearly 33 years service, It always saddens me when I hear of the death of a Police Officer or Serviceman murdered whilst serving the public. Each day you have put your lives at risk to keep the peace and it is sickening that someone feels that we are the enemy, when all we want to do is to make the world a better place. Your family's should be proud of you all for paying the ultimate price for your courage and bravery
Posted by Dave Bevis | 01.04.09, 15:53 GMT
My sincere heartfelt thoughts go out to the victim's who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, and to their families. These tragedies serve a reminder of the dangerous and difficult job Military and Police servicemen and woman undergo and hopefully the cowards responsible for the murder of these heroes will be rapidly brought to justice
Posted by IAN | 01.04.09, 14:13 GMT
589 Comments