More than 250 families of WTC disaster to visit Ireland

MORE than 250 families of police and fire officers killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York's World Trade Centre are due to arrive in Ireland for a special holiday this year.

The first beneficiaries of the US-Ireland Alliance, Innisfree project landed in Dublin yesterday to personally thank members of the police and fire brigade in Ireland for supporting the initiative.

New York widow, Sheila Langone, lost her two sons in the terrorist attack which killed more than 3,000 people.

The bodies of police officer, Peter Langone (41) and his firefighter brother, Thomas (39) were never recovered from the collapsed remains of the Twin Towers at Ground Zero.

Ms Langone, whose parents originally come from Kerry, was accompanied on her first visit to Ireland in almost 20 years by her daughter, Rosemarie.

Yesterday, they presented Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne and Assistant Fire Chief Hugh O'Neill with respective badges from the New York Police and Fire Department at a special function in Dublin.

Both women also spoke movingly about the trauma of the past year.

“It has been particularly hard for my two sons' wives and their four children,” said Sheila, who admitted she had only visited Ground Zero once since the attack.

“I couldn't go there when it was still smouldering. My imagination did enough for me,” she added.

They also spoke warmly about the reaction and support of friends, neighbours and complete strangers.

“It has been the greatest outpouring of love and compassion we have ever known.”

Both women also expressed disappointment at recent suggestions put forward for the redevelopment of the Ground Zero site. They described the various proposals as “dry, dull and ugly.”

The Langones will travel to Waterford, Cork and Kenmare later this week as part of their holiday.

The Irish Hotels Federation has arranged accommodation for all the visitors, while the Car Rental Council of Ireland is offering free car rentals to the families.

The Garda Síochana in association with their colleagues in the PSNI have raised $232,000, which mostly go towards the cost of airline tickets, while further funds to the Innisfree project have also been contributed by the Fire Brigade Services.

Donations can be made to the Innisfree Project at the Bank of Ireland, Lwr Baggot St, Dublin 2. Sorting code: 90-14-90 A/c No: 40384731.