President hosts event for RUC widows

PRESIDENT MARY McAleese has hosted a reception at Áras an Uachtaráin for 50 widows of RUC officers killed during the Troubles.

The chairwoman of the RUC George Cross Widows’ Association, Phyllis Carrothers, attended the event, along with Police Federation for Northern Ireland chairman Terry Spence.

“It was a truly momentous occasion. The RUC widows had never been to the Áras before, and the President and Dr Martin McAleese were exemplary in the way they treated them,” Mr Spence said.

He said Mrs McAleese addressed the widows “informally but with a very appropriate speech” during the lunchtime event last month.

“She was heartfelt in the way she delivered it. The widows were greatly appreciative. They said she couldn’t have been nicer and she really stretched out the hand of friendship.

“It was all very genuine. It wasn’t as if they were going through the motions. Our widows were very touched by the whole experience. Many of them said to me it was a day they’ll never forget for the rest of their lives.”