Distretto NordMultimedia

Il funerale di Ronan Kerr

Mourners unite for Kerr funeral

Cardinal Séan Brady told mourners at the funeral of murdered Constable Ronan Kerr that the unprecedented show of unity against dissidents needs to be made “the defining moment in the journey towards reconciliation and peace”.

Funerale di Ronan Kerr | Ronan Kerr funeralThe small Tyrone village of Beragh ground to a halt for the funeral of the 25-year-old police recruit, who was killed in a dissident car bomb attack in Omagh on Saturday afternoon.

In highly symbolic scenes, local schoolchildren, Ronan’s GAA Beragh Red Knights’ teammates and scores of police officers stood shoulder to shoulder outside the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

They formed a guard of honour around the young recruit’s coffin, which was carried by GAA President Christy Cooney, Tyrone manager Mickey Harte and Tyrone captain Brian Dooher and was handed to PSNI colleagues for the final stretch to the churchyard.

The funeral procession was led by Ronan’s grieving mother Nuala, his brothers and sister.

The Primate of All Ireland told those gathered inside the Church in the Kerr family’s home village that Ronan had “played a part in building the peace”.

“Let there be no doubt that the killing of Ronan Kerr, was totally unjustified. It was an evil deed, an offence against God and a complete rejection of the belief that human life is sacred”, he said.

“Today, as we honour the courage of this valiant young man, may we all resolve to make this a defining moment in our own lives. We must never become complacent about choosing good and rejecting evil. Let us resolve to do everything in our power to bring about the brighter future which the young people of this land deserve.”

Cardinal Brady urged mourners to pass a message of peace onto the new generation.

“Parents and grandparents, I beg you, plead with your children and with your grandchildren, not to get involved with violence.”

Political leaders and police chiefs from both sides of the border were among those who attended the funeral mass. In an emotional scene, PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott shook hands with Mickey Harte outside the chapel.

First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, along with Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, UUP leader Tom Elliott, SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie, Alliance leader and Justice minister David Ford, were joined by Taoiseach Enda Kenny for the service.

It was the first Catholic mass attended by both the DUP and UUP leaders, while the presence of Mr McGuinness and Mr Adams at the funeral of a police officer would have been unimaginable in the past. This also marked Enda Kenny’s first official visit to Northern Ireland as Irish Premier.

Also present were Archbishop Alan Harper, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh; the Rev Norman Hamilton, moderator of the Presbyterian Church; and the Rev Paul Kingston, president of the Methodist Church.

Father John Skinnader, who delivered the homily, paid tribute to Ronan’s “exceptional courage” and his “love of life”.

Fr Skinnader said that he had spoken to the young recruit recently while he was on duty.

“Seeing him sitting behind the wheel of the police car last weekend – I thought to myself – there is the symbol of the new Northern Ireland.”

On Sunday, Pc Kerr’s heartbroken mother Nuala appealed to fellow Catholics to stand up and be counted and not be dissuaded from joining the PSNI.

Large crowds also gathered in Belfast city centre for a trade-union organised peace rally to protest against the dissident republican killing, as the funeral was taking place.

A peace walk will be held in Omagh on Sunday to allow people to further register their revulsion at his murder.

Books of condolence have been opened in the town and across Northern Ireland for Constable Kerr, who was buried at the Church of St Patrick in Drumaduff.

L’ultimo saluto | Laid to rest

Da Beragh | From Beragh

Analisi | Analysis

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