An Irishman who lost his sister and niece in the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center has spoken on their anniversary of his frustration that a number of suspects captured in relation to the tragedy have not been brought before the courts.
Mark Clifford of Passage West in Cork lost his US-based sister Ruth Clifford McCourt (44) and her daughter, Juliana (4) on September 11th, 2001, 14 years ago.
The pair were killed when their flight from Boston to Los Angeles hit the World Trade Center.
In a remarkable coincidence, the Cliffords’ brother Ron was working in the Twin Towers at the time of the attack, but survived.
Lack of justice
Mark Clifford said he still mourns his sister and niece and is saddened by what he perceives as a lack of justice in the tragedy.
“References to the 9/11 tragedy basically come up on media constantly. You can be passing the TV and watching the towers and the tragedy envelop. For most people it is an event - but for us we are personally involved in it.”
Mr Clifford is angered by the fact that suspects captured five years ago were never tried in relation to the atrocity.
He stresses that only further murder trials for those responsible could in any way ease the suffering of the families who lost relatives in the attack.
Surprise trip
Ms Clifford McCourt and her daughter were on a surprise trip to Disneyland when they lost their lives.
They were passengers on the hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston to California that was flown into the south tower of the World Trade Center.
Juliana’s godmother, Paige Farley Hackel, was on the second aircraft - American Airlines Flight 11 - which smashed into the other tower.
Ron Clifford was on his way to a business meeting in the Twin Towers at the time of the attack.
He was standing in the lobby when Ms Farley Hackel’s flight hit the building.
Despite being hit by falling debris, he helped to drag a badly injured woman to shelter.
Ms Clifford McCourt and her daughter are buried in St Finbarr’s Cemetery in Cork.