Northern Ireland: widow appeals for no retaliation
The Protestant widow of a Catholic man beaten to death by a Loyalist gang, has said her husband would not want retaliation. On the day of his death he had been working with community police to help keep the peace.
Kevin McDaid, 49, a father-of-four, was attacked and beaten by a loyalist mob close to his home in Coleraine, Londonderry, on Sunday after Rangers won the Scottish league title. Fearing trouble between the rival supporters, residents had built barricades to keep Protestants out of their estate hours before. Shortly before his death Kevin had helped officers remove the barriers on Sunday.
His wife Evelyn, who was also injured in the attack, said: "It was all to do with religion, and I'm not even a Catholic. I am a Protestant, it's a mixed marriage, but they just seem to hate us so much. He was my life, he was a very loving father and a great man. He would not want us to hit back."
The police have increased patrols in the area, ahead of a Loyalist march planned for Friday. The parade is due to pass near the spot where Mr McDaid was murdered. The Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe Bishop Ken Goode, have called for the march to be postponed. Security Minister Paul Goggins has appealed for calm.