St Anne’s Cathedral lit up in red to mark 17th European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism

St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast has been illuminated red to mark the 17th European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism

The European Commission initially founded the annual event to after the Madrid train bombinsg of March 11, 2004 which killed 191 people and wounded 1,841.

The Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev Stephen Forde, attended the Belfast wing of the event on Thursday.

Terro victims groups were angered that Parliament Buildings at Stormont was not similarly lit up and blamed Sinn Fein for the decision.

Kenny Donaldson, director of services for South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF), said: “Over the weekend we took many angry and hurt phone calls from victims and survivors, from across the community, those who have been impacted by both republican and loyalist terrorism.

“Innocent victims/survivors were just distraught that their own Assembly building would not permit such a basic gesture and recognition.”

He joined Mr Forde outside the cathedral on Thursday.

Thursday marked the 17th European Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Terrorism.

Sinn Fein has said it wants to see an inclusive lighting policy that reflects different sections of the community.

Victims of loyalist and republican terrorism gave their testimonies online in an event hosted by TUV leader Jim Allister today at Stormont, which was also addressed b yForst Minister Arlene Foster.

Another event took place at the Representation of the European Commission in Madrid, as well as via videoconference.

The event brings together victims of terrorism, victims’ associations and first responders to share their stories and experiences, as well as European and Member States’ representatives.

This year, the theme of the event was “Always United”.

Ministers from across European states took part.

Following a minute of silence, and an interlude by the orchestra the Young Belgian Strings, victims shared their testimonies to showcase their resilience.

Those who gave testimony in Madrird were;-

:: Shirley Zapf, who lost his parents in a terrorist attack in Istanbul in 2016.

:: Tor-Inge Kristofferson, who was seated 17 metres away when a van loaded with a bomb of 900 kilos exploded at the Government Quarter in Oslo in 2011.

:: Antonio Miguel Utrera, who was on the train during the attacks of Madrid of March 11th 2004.

:: Debora Huyghe, who lost her 21-year-old son son Bart in the 2016 attacks at Brussels airport.

:: Dr Catherine Thiery, a medical doctor who was present to deliver first aid during the attack in Nice in 2006.

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