Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Adams joins funeral tribute

David McKittrick
Wednesday 14 January 1998 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Up to 5,000 people yesterday attended the funeral in west Belfast of Terry Enright, a relative of Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, who was shot dead by loyalists at the weekend.

Since he died, a number of cross-community tributes have been paid to Mr Enright, the 28- year-old who was married to Mr Adams's niece and whom was the father of two children. He was noted for his work with the young and disadvantaged.

Hundreds of children lined the route, many of them holding banners paying tribute to his work.

At yesterday's funeral Gerry Adams carried the coffin for a time as Mr Enright's widow walked behind carrying a single red rose.

He was shot dead last Saturday as he worked as a doorman at a city centre club which was owned by a relative of the loyalist politician, David Ervine.

Mr Ervine has said that the group which claimed responsibility for the attack, the Loyalist Volunteer Force, had wished to strike at him and his family. The LVF, which was founded by the loyalist Billy Wright, opposes the peace process.

The Catholic Bishop of Down and Connor, Dr Patrick Walsh, told mourners: "Terry was born in 1969, a fateful year. 1969-1998 was year after year of agony piled on agony. Will 1998 be a fateful year in a different sense, a year that will see the agony over, and the darkness of bitterness, suspicion, hatred and terror scattered in the warm light of tolerance, respect, love and peace?"

Dr Walsh said Mr Enright had been murdered simply because he was a Catholic, adding: "Not only those who pulled the trigger were guilty but also those who had fomented bitterness and hatred with inflammatory words."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in