Hundreds in 3-day walk to Derry in Lyra’s name
Celtic sex abuse statement slammed
Lyra Mckee HUNDREDS of walkers will set off today on a three-day march in memory of murdered journalist Lyra Mckee.
The 29-year-old’s death sent shockwaves across the world after she was gunned down by the New IRA in Derry’s Creggan estate last month.
Lyra’s Walk, organised by a team of five volunteers, will start in Belfast’s Writers’ Square and end with a public rally at Guildhall Square on Monday, headlined by Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody.
Organiser Seimi Mac Aindreasa said the walk will give people across Northern Ireland and beyond a chance to remember Lyra and to push for a “pathway to peace”.
He added: “We’re 21 years since the Good Friday Agreement was signed, a contract so many of us got behind, and still talented young lives like Lyra’s are being lost.
“That pathway to peace is not being implemented, and the lack of political progress is creating a vaccuum which is being filled by people who don’t support it.
“The Good Friday Agreement was for everyone – even those who didn’t get behind it.”
ON CELTIC STATEMENT
A CELTIC statement on the paedophile scandal engulfing the club was branded “appalling” by a solicitor acting for abuse victims.
Parkhead chiefs were told to “hang their heads” in shame after they moved to address the jailing of kitman Jim Mccafferty – the third man connected to Celtic Boys’ Club to be locked up for sex attacks on youngsters.
In a statement, the Glasgow club said it wished to express its “regret and sorrow” but didn’t raise the issue of compensation.
Last night, Patrick
Mcguire of Thompsons
Solicitors claimed directors had attempted to “bury bad news” by issuing a statement just hours before their historic bid for the treble treble in today’s Scottish Cup final against Hearts.
The Celtic statement read: “James Mccafferty has pled guilty to offences he committed against young people between 1972 and 1996.
“Celtic Football Club wishes to express its regret and sorrow to those young people.
“Mccafferty, who was employed by Celtic Football Club in the mid-1990s, committed these acts many years ago across a number of organisations and all those who have come forward to report abuse and to give evidence deserve enormous praise courage they have shown.
“We offer our sincere sympathy to those young people, their families and all those involved.”
The statement said the club had encouraged victims to come forward when allegations were first made public in 2016.
It added it “stands by its responsibilities” and strives to protect young people after becoming the first club in Scotland to appoint a dedicated safeguarding officer.
Mccafferty, a former kitman for Celtic, Hibs and Falkirk, was jailed for six years and nine months earlier this month for abusing 10 teenage boys.
Celtic had previously said the Boys’ Club is a separate organisation and not its responsibility. Mr Mcguire called for Celtic to follow the lead of Manchester City, who have vowed to pay compensation to victims of historical abuse.
He said: “It would be charitable to describe this statement as far too little far too late.
“There is absolutely no apology and absolutely no acknowledgement of responsibility on the part of Celtic Football Club.
“I would describe the timing of this release as cynical in the extreme.” for the
It would be charitable to describe this as far too little far too late PATRICK MCGUIRE