Emmett Shiels would have been 23 tomorrow:
Murdered Derry man Emmett Shiels should be celebrating his 23rd birthday with his new born son tomorrow - instead his family will be visiting his grave in the City Cemetery.
However, his family, still devastated by his death, say they are keeping scrap books about Emmett and will ensure his son knows everything about his dad.
Emmett's girlfriend who gave birth to the couple's baby just days after his death, is still too traumatised to speak publicly, however the family say the baby is doing well.
The Derry man's adopted father Patsy Moore told the 'Journal' his family would never get over the loss of Emmett.
"Emmett was such a part of our family since he was seven months old," he said. "And it took a bullet to take him away from us. My wife is breaking her heart."
Patsy, a devout Catholic said he's angry at Bishop Seamus Hegarty's refusal to sign a petition calling for an end to dissident republican activity in the city.
Bishop
"Emmett was so well respected that it will go a long way that Bishop Hegarty wouldn't sign the petition and back him up," he said.
"I never knew how popular my Emmett was.
"Young people will turn away, the chapels are already half empty now. These are the people who 10 or 15 years ago wanted the guns off the streets. That's what this petition was for, to get the guns out.
"There are times now when I can't believe Emmett's gone and I feel it so hard. He was such a kind hearted boy."
A bricklayer by trade, Emmett had recently taken a job delivering pizzas when construction work dried up. He was also a lifeline to his disabled brother, Kevin, who lived beside him.
"Emmett was straight over when I needed anything," said Kevin."And he was always there for my children."
Over the moon
Emmett's sister Maureen Wilkinson revealed that her brother was over the moon at the prospect of becoming a dad.
"He had everything bought," she said, "And when he found out he was having a boy, he couldn't wait to tell us."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Derry
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 9 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
