Local community thanked for their compassion

THE people of Cork and the small peninsula community in West Cork that comforted the families and friends of the Air India disaster, at the time of the tragedy and during the sad pilgrimages over the past two decades, were thanked yesterday.

Twenty years on, the hurt and anger has not diminished for the heartbroken Canadian and Indian communities but many yesterday spoke of the bonds and friendships developed with the people of Ireland, in particular Cork and the Sheep’s Head peninsula.

Representing the Irish people at the ceremony, President Mary McAleese said the memorial shrine and garden was a place where she hoped the victims’ families could find comfort and solace.