‘Don’t let my son’s death be in vain’
Nuala Kerr’s son Ronan, aged 25, died when a booby-trap bomb exploded as he got into his car in Omagh, Co Tyrone.
Ms Kerr said: “This is at a time when we are striving for a neutral police force for the good of our country and I urge all Catholic members not to be deterred by this. We all need to stand up and be counted and to strive for equality.
“We don’t want to go back into the dark days again of fear and terror.
“We were so proud of Ronan and all that he stood for. Don’t let his death be in vain.”
Ms Kerr said she was also speaking on behalf of his two brothers Cathair and Aaron and loving sister Dairine. Their father Brian died some time ago.
“He was a wonderful son and brother, always had a smile and a helping hand for everyone,” she said.
“He had all the attributes of a great police officer — fair, empathetic, intelligent, humorous, a great communicator and loyal to all who knew him. And he just loved his work.”
“I would like to appeal to the wider public for any information, no matter how small about this callous crime. Someone knows something. Would you please come forward and do the right thing so that justice can be done.”
Meanwhile, the purple drapes in the Omagh church symbolised the mourning of a community plunged into grief.
Christ the King Church is just yards from the scene of the blast. Mass-goers heard words of condemnation from parish priest Fr Kevin McElhennon.
“We as a community stand united with one another in our absolute and clear condemnation of this murder,” he said. “We stand too in our opposition to the misguided, blind, morally wrong and sinful ideology of those who planned, executed and supported the brutal murder of young Ronan.”
Flowers were placed close to the scene where forensics experts searched for clues in the residential street on the outskirts of the town. A white and blue tent was placed at the scene of the blast.
Just minutes away is a garden of remembrance for the 29 victims of the Omagh bombing in 1998.
