The President, Mrs McAleese, said yesterday that the courage of the people of Greysteel, Co Derry, was an example of how hope could overcome bitterness. Mrs McAleese was visiting the village, where seven people were shot dead by UFF gunmen in a Hallowe'en "trick or treat" gun attack in October 1993, as part of her part of her day-long visit to Strabane and Derry. She said the villagers' courage proved that if a community rallied together after a tragic event hatred would be defeated.
Mrs McAleese was welcomed to Derry's Tower Museum by the city's newly elected mayor, Sinn Fein councillor Mr Cathal Crumley. She also officially opened a new community centre in Fountain Street in Strabane, and addressed pupils at St Cecilia's College in the Creggan area of Derry.