Swiss girl's family backs victims' foundation

THE PARENTS of Swiss teenager Manuela Riedo who was murdered in Galway have agreed to set up a foundation in her name to help the victims of rape and sexual assault.

Ms Riedo (17) was killed just three days after arriving in Galway city in October 2007 to study English. An only child, it was her first trip abroad without her parents.

Switzerland-based publican Brendan McGuinness approached Ms Riedo’s parents Hans-Pieter and Arlette about setting up the foundation after Gerald Barry, who had sex with Ms Riedo before strangling her, was sentenced for her murder last month.

Mr McGuinness, whose pub is in Basle, said he was “angry and disgusted” by the failure of the Government to apologise to them. He said Barry was a violent thug with a long history of convictions who should not have been free to kill.

The Manuela Riedo Stiftung (Foundation) will be launched on Friday next week. The McGuinness pub is a well-known Irish music venue and Mr McGuinness is planning a fundraising concert in Basle on Saturday, July 25th.

The Kilfenora Céilí Band, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, Dublin-based trad outfit Córas and Fair Isle Folk have all confirmed an interest in performing, Mr McGuinness said.

Mr McGuinness is also speaking to The Wolfe Tones, Sharon Shannon and Ms Riedo’s favourite singer James Blunt, who is based in Switzerland. His song 1973 was played at her funeral.

Kilfenora Céilí Band member Garry Shannon said they would be “honoured” to take part in a concert.

“We are interested in taking part in anything that improves the image of Ireland after this appalling tragedy, honours the memory of Manuela and gives some consolation to her parents.”

Mr Riedo said he was “happy and excited” about the setting up of the foundation and wished to thank the musicians who had already committed to the concert.

“We are very glad that our daughter’s memory is being honoured and that she will be remembered in this way. That makes us happy,” he said.

Mr McGuinness said his lawyers and a local IT company, which is designing the website, were giving services for free.

“Everybody wants to help. Switzerland is a small country like Ireland. There is very little crime here, and young people like Manuela are not streetwise because they don’t have to be. That is why this crime is so profoundly shocking to them,” he said.