A day of shock and grief in Lurgan
It was a day of shock and grief in Lurgan. Hours after the fatal
explosion, that killed Rosemary Nelson, nationalist residents of the
North Armagh town told An Phoblacht's Caítlin Doherty of their shock
and grief at the murder and raised the spectre of collusion between
the crown forces and Rosemary's loyalist killers
``She was not only the first woman solicitor in Lurgan and a leading
human rights defender. She was not only a mother, but a friend to us
all. She represented the voiceless. She represented those who didn't
have rights''.
With damp eyes, this mother of four living on one of Lurgan's
nationalist estates described her feelings. Plain white graffiti,
painted along the rail tracks, echoed the words of shock and anger
that ran high on Monday night in Lurgan: ``Rosmary Nelson, the voice
of the people. Murdered by RUC/RIR''.
For most Lurgan residents, there is no question as to whose hand was
behind the murder of the woman the community regarded as their own.
``Over the past three days there have been constant patrols,
check-points and helicopter activity'', one resident, adding weight to
the accusations of collusion, told An Phoblacht.
For the past 72 hours, until the late hours of Monday morning, we
have seen RUC in areas they would have never have patrolled before.''
At 10.20 AM, a road-block was set up by the crown forces in front of
the school just 100 yards from her house. Also, just weeks ago, the
British Army dug positions into the fields behind the Nelson home.
According to other residents, the past week, has seen a build-up of
RUC and British Army surveillance. Harassment of nationalists had
increased with young people in particular targeted. Three
weeks ago, a bomb disposal team cleared an area close to the railway.
Crown forces in riot gear were deployed, but not a word was reported
in the media.
``In this area, traditionally, when there is such activity, murder has
followed'', said one local. Everyone was feeling nervous. Lurgan has
been at the heart of collusion. We knew something was going to
happen. But this.....?''
It was close to midday when Rosemary drove her silver BMW away from
her house and at the end of the street it exploded with the sound of
the explosion carrying to the Tannaghmore primary school where the
children were sitting in the dining hall. Among them was 8 year old
Sarah Nelson, Rosemary and Paul's young daughter.
The car-bomb is thought to have been triggered when Rosemary braked.
According to local residents, it took the ambulance half and hour to
get to the scene.
Rosemary was then transported to Craigavon hospital where she was
accompanied by 3 doctors and 4 paramedics. As her husband, family and
friends waited, they were told that she was to be transported to
Belfast.
However, minutes later, her husband was called by her side. It was
the last time he saw her alive.
Earlier that day, a leading republican from the area was approached
by the RUC as he returned from a funeral.
``Your days are numbered'', he was told. Two hours later, as he walked
close to the scene of the murder, the same RUC man repeated the
threat.
In the afternoon, in the quiet estate, where the car lay wrecked ,
the silence was deafening. Forensic experts in white suits swept the
ground. Neighbours voiced disgust, as they watched the crown forces
guarding the removal of the last pieces evidence. ``How can you expect
justice when everything is left in the hands of the RUC?'', said
Brendan, a local community worker.
``They murdered her and now they are trying to cover it up.''
One man spoke of seeing, ``British forces, deployed on the scene
laughing.''
But more than words, the silence said it all. In the afternoon, in a
spontaneous outburst of anger and grief over 300 local residents
marched to Lurgan RUC barracks.
Speaking at the barracks, Sinn Féin councillor John O'Dowd asked, ``If
you are looking for the answers to the murders of Rosemary and Pat
Finucane, ask here'' he said pointing at the barracks.
Later as darkness fell, angry youths were being controlled by Sinn
Fein activists, ``it is not what Rosemary would have wanted'', said
Dara O'Hagan, Assembly member and friend of the Nelson family.
The few incidents that occurred were immediately flagged up in the
British media.
``You can't blame the youth'', said one local activist. ``We do not want
to play into the hands of those who have done this. But you can't
blame them.'' Behind closed doors, family and friends were grieving
Rosemary and words were no comfort. As the silence of the night
closed in, however they were not alone. Throughout Ireland and
beyond, Rosemary Nelson was in the hearts of many. She was not only
one of the most respected legal and human rights figures in Ireland.
She was not only a mother, a friend and the representative of the
voiceless. She was one of us. And her spirit will rise and live
forever.ENDS -
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