No rhyme nor reason for Frances’s death, says husband

John Breslin

Michael Ralph, who has been with his wife since they were teenagers, said there was neither rhyme nor reason for last Thursday’s attack.

“It’s next week and the week after that things will hit us, when Frances is not at the same table as us anymore.

“We have been together for 29 years and would be 25 years married next year, but now our lives are upside down.”

Mr Ralph said his wife never had a bad word to say about anyone and always had a smile on her face.

“Even when I was identifying her body, I could still see a trace of that smile. But she is gone now.

“Frances was a wonderful person, a homemaker and a mother who instilled values in her children that have allowed them to walk with similar values they will pass on to their children,” he added.

Michael and Frances were out with friends, who were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.

They went for a meal and then for a few drinks. “We went to Fletcher’s pub for a couple of drinks and were waiting for a taxi to take us home.

“There was no rhyme nor reason for such an attack,” he said.

Mr Ralph asked: “What drives people to do such things? What right have they?”