Distretto NordMultimedia

Bomba di Omagh: Ronan Kerr era un “costruttore di pace”

Omagh car bomb ‘killed peacemaker’

Constable Ronan Kerr, the young Catholic officer killed by an under-car bomb outside his Omagh home, had chosen to be a “peacemaker and a peacekeeper”, Chief Constable Matt Baggott has said.

Poliziotto Ronan Kerr | Police Officer Ronan KerrThe 25-year-old new recruit, who had recently completed his training, died when the booby-trap device exploded in the Highfield Close area of the Co Tyrone town, off the Gortin Road, on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking at a press conference in Belfast on Sunday morning, Matt Baggott called Constable Kerr a “peacekeeper” who joined the forces to protect the people of the community he grew up in.

“He chose to be a peacemaker and a peacekeeper, and he chose to do that absolutely impartially,” Mr Baggott said.

“Ronan left an indelible mark on many people in his too short life. He had been a police officer for mere months but he had been a member of the community here for 25 years. He grew up here, he went to school here. He made the decision to join the police service here to protect and serve the people here.”

Mr Baggott said he has visited and spoken to Constable Kerr’s grieving family.

“A mother has lost a son in whom she had enormous pride,” he continued. “They expressed to me their deepest pride in him. I can’t imagine what they’re going through but I saw their grief first hand.”

“Even in the midst of such unimaginable pain she spoke to me of her pride, her enormous pride in Ronan and in the path he had chosen for himself. Her pride in him is shared by us all.”

Residents in the Highfield area reported hearing a loud blast as the bomb went off shortly before 4pm on Saturday.

Police said it may be “quite some time” before families can return to their homes, while a “comprehensive” investigation is carried out.

It has not yet emerged which dissident grouping are responsible, but the Chief Constable described them as a “potent and dangerous minority who need to be expelled from our community”.

Parish priest of Beragh Arthur McAnearney knows the family well.

“Ronan was a really friendly lad, very open, hard working and lively boy,” Fr McAnearney told UTV.

“He saw no evil in anyone and treated everyone so well. His mother is quite distraught but very dignified, the rest of the family will be very distraught and asking why.”

Also speaking on Sunday, Justice Minister David Ford called for unity against terror groups in Northern Ireland.

“The entire community is united in their revulsion and condemnation,” he said. “Terrorists stand against the people of Northern Ireland. They offer us nothing. We must come together now to ensure that Northern Ireland has the shared future it so richly deserves.”

Acting Chairman of the NI Policing Board Brian Rea said: “Those behind this awful act must be brought to justice. I would appeal to anyone with any shred of evidence, no matter how small, to bring that forward.”

The bombing has been condemned by leaders across Northern Ireland’s political spectrum.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said the republican community is “seething with anger”, adding that young Catholics should not be deterred from joining the PSNI.

“They just see this as a futile action, and some of those are the very, very hard boiled republicans and they just feel outrage.”

The PSNI said they wish to speak to anyone with information, or anyone who spoke to Ronan either on Friday or Saturday, especially if he was in his car, a black Ford Mondeo, registration number PNZ 1114.

“There are people living in this community who have information which is absolutely vital to this investigation”, a police spokesman said.

“We understand there will be some people who might be scared and maybe do not want to talk to police. You can give information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“But our preference is for you to talk to us directly, whether you live in the Highfield area or whether you have information about Ronan’s movements last Friday and Saturday. ”

Constable Kerr’s death brings to four the number of security force members to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2009.

Interview: Matt Baggott

Pagina precedente 1 2
Tags

René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

Related Articles

Close