McConville family urged to unite for funeral

Relatives of IRA murder victim Jean McConville – shot in 1972 for helping a dying British soldier – were tonight urged to unite around their mother’s grave.

Mrs McConville’s remains were found on a Co Louth beach in August. The 37-year-old Protestant had 10 children, many of whom were put in care after her death.

A priest who helped the family during their ordeal said he hoped Mrs McConville’s daughter Helen would attend the funeral this weekend.

Helen McKendry claimed she had been told to stay away from the service after she fell out with her brothers and sisters over arrangements.

Although she accompanied the coffin from Dublin today, the 47-year-old did not follow it to her brother Michael’s house afterwards.

Prominent Northern Ireland priest Monsignor Denis Faul said he hoped the relatives would join together in their mourning.

He said: “The family must unite around their mother’s grave. I hope Helen herself will unite, it would be a wonderful lesson to all of us and to them.

“This funeral is important as it signifies a closure for the family. It is a solemn and holy closure to her life.”

Mrs McConville kneeled as IRA gunmen shot her in the back of the head after seizing her at the front door of her home in west Belfast where she went to the aid of a injured British soldier just before Christmas in 1972.

She was secretly buried by the IRA and her remains were found by a man out walking his dog at Shelling Hill beach, Co Louth, 10 weeks ago.

Gardaí escorted Mrs McConville’s coffin to the border today after it was officially released by the coroner’s office in Dublin.

The cortege – which included three cars of relatives – made its way through the area where Mrs McConville had been buried.

It then made its way to Michael McConville’s house in Crumlin, Co Antrim, where the coffin will be kept in advance of a Requiem Mass which is expected to be held at St Paul’s Catholic Church.

Family members followed the coffin into the house carrying flowers and a picture of Mrs McConville.

Michael McConville said tonight that he did not know whether Helen would attend the funeral.

He said: “I don’t know, hopefully she will come.

“It wouldn’t do her any good if she didn’t come. She wouldn’t be able to live with it.

“I just can’t understand the reason she doesn’t want to.”

He said that his sister had had time by herself with the coffin when the family collected it in Dublin this morning.

In a row over funeral arrangements Mrs McKendry claimed she had been isolated by her eight surviving sisters and brothers.

Even though mediators were called in to try to find a resolution among the family, no unanimous agreement could be reached.

Mrs McConville will be buried on Saturday in Lisburn, Co Antrim, in her husband’s grave.

Among those due to attend the funeral are up to 100 members of the extended McConville family, as well as members of families of other victims kidnapped and shot by the IRA.

Some of their bodies have yet to be recovered.

Gardaí who searched for victims are also due to attend the funeral.