Every year since the Madrid bombings in 2004 across Europe one day in March has been set aside as a Memorial Day to the victims of terrorist attacks. Following his election to the Assembly Jim Allister has hosted events at Stormont to mark the occasion. Over the years, there have been highly successful events attended by victims of Republican and Loyalist terrorism from across Northern Ireland, Great Britain, the Republic and continental Europe. For the past two years it has not been possible to hold the event in Stormont. In 2020 it moved online and last year it was held in the La Mon Hotel.
This Tuesday the event returns to its traditional setting of the Senate Chamber in Stormont, beginning at 11 am with light refreshments served from 10:30.
The press are very welcome to attend.
Jim Allister explained:
“The event will take the form of a minute of silence in memory of murdered victims, followed by three victims telling their stories so that we might hear some of the untold accounts of the consequences of terrorism, both republican and loyalist.
“I believe this will be a worthwhile effort and in previous years I received very positive feedback from those who attended. It is but right that one of the regions of Europe most savagely ravaged by terrorism should mark this important day.
“I am thankful for the South East Fermanagh Foundation for their invaluable assistance in making the event possible.”
Those taking part this year by telling their stories are:
Tanya Williams-Powell
Tanya Williams-Powell is one of the granddaughters of German national Thomas Niedermayer.
In 1973 Thomas as abducted from his home by the IRA. He was murdered and his body secretly buried. It would be seven years before his remains were discovered.
The psychological trauma of what happened and the long agonising wait for the truth had a devastating impact on the Niedermayer family.
His wife Ingeborg, daughters Gabi and Renate and Gabi’s husband Robin would all die by the own hands. All were victims of what happened to Thomas.
Tanya is the eldest daughter of Gabi and Robin Williams-Powell.
Paul Wilson
Paul Wilson’s father, Senator Paddy Wilson, was murdered by the UFF.
Senator Wilson is commemorated by a plaque in Stormont.
Paul Wilson explained that he is participating in this event as he wholeheartedly believes that young people of today need to hear & understand true experiences of the ‘Troubles’.
Mary Hornsey
Mary Hornsey from Helens Bay lost her young son Paul when he was murdered at the same time as Lord Mountbatten in a terrorist bomb explosion onboard Lord Mountabtten’s boat – Shadow V, at Mullaghmore County Sligo. Th attack was carried out on the same day as the attack at Narrow Water, Warrenpoint where 18 soldiers were murdered, and a 19th victim also died (who was caught in crossfire)
Mary’s son Paul Maxwell, was a 15-year-old schoolboy from Enniskillen.
Others murdered in the terror outrage were: Lord Mountbatten (79) his 14-year-old grandson. The Dowager Lady Brabourne, mother-in-law to Mountbatten’s elder daughter, died of her injuries the following day.
Mrs Hornsey will read poetry she has written in tribute to her beloved Paul when she addresses the European Victims Day event at Parliament Buildings, Stormont on Tuesday morning.