Special tribute to prison service
TODAY’S News Letter pays special tribute to the men and women of the Northern Ireland Prison Service who, for over three decades, bravely endured terrorist threats and murderous attacks.
Since the beginning of the Troubles, 29 officers were killed in service with many more physically wounded or psychologically damaged.
Most of those murdered were gunned down while off-duty — many in front of their families and in some cases with their children in their arms.
Paying tribute to their service and sacrifice, former Secretary of State Adam Ingram praises the officers for their “fortitude and dedication” on the road to peace.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to them” Mr Ingram says. “I met many fine men and women and their families and it brought home to me the enormity of their task.”
Jennifer Doonan nursed her prison officer sister Mabel for 30 years after she was paralysed in an IRA gun attack in 1979.
Although their strong Christian faith sustained them through the darkest of days, the physical pain and heartache was often unbearable.
“She was able to prop herself up in her special bed and as she sat with the Bible open in front of her she needed a towel to catch the tears,” Mrs Doonan reveals.
Eight page feature in Friday’s News Letter.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
