President Catherine Connolly has confirmed that she will meet the sister of a woman who was murdered by the Provisional IRA in 1984.
On a visit to Belfast 10 days ago, Connolly met Mary McArdle, a non-executive director of the Falls Road Women’s Centre.
McArdle was the only person convicted of the murder of 23-year-old schoolteacher Mary Travers while she was walking home with her parents from Sunday Mass on April 8th, 1984.
The original target was Mary’s father, Tom, who was a resident magistrate. He was shot six times but survived. A gun was placed to the head of his wife, Joan, but it jammed.
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McArdle received a life sentence for murder, and an 18-year concurrent sentence for the attempted murder of Tom Travers, wounding with intent and a number of firearms offences.
She was released under the terms of the Belfast Agreement after 14 years in 1998.
Writing in Saturday’s Irish Times, Mary Travers’ sister, Ann, said of the President’s meeting with McArdle: “To see her standing alongside our President broke me.”
She added: “Some – including Sinn Féin – say that former prisoners are an important part of the peace process, but the Historical Enquires Team asked McArdle to help with the investigation into my sister’s murder, and she declined. I have asked to meet with her.
“She has ignored me. I believe she knows who shot my dad and murdered my sister. She could give us answers. I promised my dad as he was dying that I would get justice for Mary.
“As one of the thousands of surviving family members of victims of the Troubles and a case worker with the South East Fermanagh Foundation, which helps other victims, I am constantly dismayed to see those who were responsible for such violence accepted and welcome into normal society.”
Ann Travers said she was pleased that the President has agreed to a private meeting in September.
“I hope it has some positive outcomes for myself, my family and other victims and survivors,” she said.
