President Connolly offers to meet Ann Travers, sister of IRA murder victim

A spokesperson for the President’s office confirmed to the Irish Examiner that efforts have been made to arrange a meeting. File photo.

President Catherine Connolly has officially offered to meet with Ann Travers, the sister of a Mary Travers, who was murdered by the Provisional IRA in 1984.

The President’s decision to meet with Ms Travers comes after she was recently pictured with Mary McArdle, who was convicted for her part in the murder of the 23-year-old teacher 42 years ago.

Ms McArdle served 14 years in prison before being released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

After the picture emerged, Ms Travers wrote to President Connolly to voice her disdain, and told RTÉ radio’s Today show that it is “very important” for those in power to “start standing beside the victims and survivors of the Troubles”.

“It lives with me every day of my life, and I think that's what people and the public need to really understand,” said Ms Travers.

“This isn't just me, this is other friends of mine and people who have also lost loved ones through the Troubles.

“It just re-traumatises you, it brings you right back."

Ms Travers said, when she saw the photo of Mary McArdle standing with the President, she thought "what on earth, what's going on?"

“If there hadn't been that photograph, I wouldn't have known that she'd ever met with her,” she added.

“It brings home that victims and survivors [of the Troubles] have had to fight, we have to push for absolutely everything.

“There seems to be this attitude that, oh look, it's all over now. The Good Friday Agreement happened, let's just move on.” 

Ms Travers said that Ms McArdle had shown “absolutely no remorse” and was the only person who could provide answers about who exactly was involved in the murder of Mary Travers.

“I have had ill health over the past number of years and I just would like to know who exactly it was, who the gunmen were, and who gave the orders,” said Ms Travers.

“I know certain details of what happened, but it's like having a jigsaw puzzle and just having those final pieces put in.” 

A spokesperson for the President’s office confirmed to the Irish Examiner that efforts have been made to arrange a meeting.

“The Office of the President can confirm that President Connolly has offered to meet with Ann Travers,” the spokesperson said.

Additionally, in a post on social media, Ms Travers said she hoped to hold the private meeting with President Connolly next month.