Hundreds sign book of condolences for Bigley

HUNDREDS of Dubliners signed a book of condolences in honour of murdered hostage Ken Bigley yesterday.

The book was opened at 10am and a steady flow of people visited the Mansion House to pay their respects throughout the day.

Mr Bigley, who was beheaded last week after being held hostage for three weeks, was a native of Liverpool. However, he was a regular visitor to Dublin, where his mother Lil was born 86 years ago.

The Government issued Mr Bigley with an Irish passport in the days before his death, in the hope it might aid efforts to save his life.

Announcing the opening of the book earlier this week, Dublin’s Lord Mayor Michael Conaghan said words could not express the horror felt by Irish people at the news of Mr Bigley’s brutal murder.

“We all hoped and prayed for a different outcome and our thoughts are with his Dublin-born mother Lil and the rest of Mr Bigley’s family and friends,” Mr Conaghan said.

He said few could understand the emotions felt by the Bigley family, who displayed profound strength and dignity during the past couple of weeks.

The book of condolences will remain open at the Mansion House until 5pm this evening.

Mr Bigley’s family yesterday thanked the public for their support during the past few weeks.

In a statement released through police, his 65-year-old brother Stan said the display of solidarity had made the family’s ordeal a little more bearable.

“We have been deeply touched by the tributes, floral and otherwise, and the whole family would like to say thank you,” he said.