Sister of IRA murder victim seeks meeting with President

Ann Travers, whose sister was murdered by the Provisional IRA during the Troubles, is seeking the assistance of President Catherine Connolly to secure a meeting with a woman convicted for her role in the killing. Travers hopes President Connolly can persuade Mary McArdle to meet with her and provide information about those involved in the 1984 murder of 23-year-old teacher Mary Travers.

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I just hope that by the end of it she understands the impact that we, that victims and survivors live with daily, and I really hope that she can maybe have some kind of perhaps influence on Mary McArdle to perhaps meet with me and give me the answers I so need.

McArdle was convicted for her part in the murder and served 14 years in prison before her release under the Good Friday Agreement. President Connolly has offered to meet with Ann Travers, and Travers hopes to arrange this meeting for next month. She expressed a desire for the President to understand the lasting impact of the violence on victims and survivors.

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I just think whenever I just saw them there smiling together, the fact that it was outside a women's centre on the Falls Road, which I'm sure is there to help women through all sorts ... who've had violence projected onto them. And then I just think like about the violence that happened to my own beautiful 23-year-old sister and my mother.

Travers recounted the events of the shooting, where her sister was killed and her father was shot multiple times. She stated that McArdle allegedly received the guns from the two gunmen after the attack. Travers has previously asked McArdle to meet, but she refused. The Historical Enquiries Team also contacted McArdle, who ignored their letter, leading Travers to hope President Connolly can exert influence.

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Simultaneously Mary turned around and faced Dad and said 'Daddy that man has a gun'.

Recalling a recent photograph of President Connolly with McArdle outside a women's center, Travers expressed her distress. She contrasted the image with the violence inflicted upon her sister and mother, emphasizing the ongoing trauma experienced by victims and survivors.

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And with that that gunman shot Mary once in the back and she fell down into my Mum's arms and knocked Mum onto the ground.