Anti-sectarian rally protests against murder

An anti-sectarian rally was taking place in Derry today to protest against the murder of construction worker David Caldwell.

The rally, which has been organised by Derry Trades Union Council, was beginning at 1pm at the Territorial Army base where Mr Caldwell died after he opened a booby-trapped lunchbox.

Workers were marching to Guildhall Square via the Craigavon Bridge to listen to speeches condemning violence.

Today’s rally follows a similar demonstration in Belfast last Friday when trade unionists, politicians and business and church leaders united in opposition to sectarian violence and in particular the recent murder of Catholic teenager Gerard Lawlor.

Derry Mayor Kathleen McCloskey urged trade unionists, local workers and community and voluntary organisations to show their revulsion at the murder of Mr Caldwell and support the event.

Describing Thursday’s explosion as a ‘‘cowardly and despicable act of violence’’ the SDLP mayor said she was horrified that Mr Caldwell had been killed while working for the benefit of his family.

‘‘I condemn without reservation those responsible for this explosion. All law-abiding people should condemn this act of violence.

‘‘It is important that as many people come along today and unite against those responsible for these savage attacks,’’ she said.

Mr Caldwell, a 51-year-old father of four, was buried at Ballyowen Cemetery yesterday after a funeral service at Gortnessy Presbyterian Church at Drumahoe, a few miles from Londonderry.

The Rev Jim Gray, speaking at the service, said the brutal murder would strengthen the resolve the community to resist terrorism.

He said the attack would not help further the cause of those responsible.

‘‘It will only harden a determination to resist the violent overthrow of society. There has been too much suffering in our country, too many families grieving,’’ he said.

Calling on the community to help catch those responsible, Mr Gray appealed to loyalists for no retaliation.

Rev Gray described Mr Caldwell as a decent man whose concern was for his immediate family and his elderly mother.

‘‘He was a quiet man, respected in the community, who was taken from his family in a violent way.

Mr Caldwell’s murder was condemned by the Catholic Bishop of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty, who

said it had sent shockwaves across the community.

‘‘This has sent reverberations all over the city. Everybody feels under attack and under siege as a result of this because it strikes nerves which are rather raw at the moment.’’

Security sources believe the bomb, which killed Mr Caldwell was planted by the dissident Real IRA, which was responsible for killing 29 people and unborn twins at Omagh August 1998.