'Thanks for kind support' Bradley family comforted following Real IRA attack
A Derry family targeted in a Real IRA shotgun attack last week have spoken for the first time following their ordeal to say thanks for the support they received.
Former Deputy Mayor of Derry, Liam Bradley and his wife Marie were in bed when a shotgun blast was discharged through the front door of their Lone Moor Road home in the city last Thursday morning. They were “very shaken” but unhurt in the incident.
Speaking for the first time since the attack, Mrs Bradley told the ‘Journal’ that the family had been inundated with messages of support.
“We wish to thank everyone for their kind support after the attack. We’ve had cards and letters, telephone calls and Mass bouquets. We had support from all over and we’re very grateful for that, everyone’s been great.”
Mr. and Mrs Bradley, whose son is a serving PSNI officer, declined to comment any further on the attack which was claimed by the Real IRA in Derry as a retaliation for “ongoing attacks” by police on the families republicans in the city.
There has been widespread condemnation of the dissident paramilitary group’s action and its warning that the families of police officers pursuing Real IRA activists “will pay the price”.
In the past Mr Bradley had been an outspoken advocate of nationalists joining the PSNI.
The former Irish Independence Party councillor, who founded the North’s first Fianna Fail cumann in Derry, was this week given the full backing of the Fianna Fail’s deputy leader, Tanaiste Brian Cowen.
“I sympathise with the Bradley family and I assure them of our solidarity and support.” He added that he hoped the attack was an “isolated incident and not a trend”.
“Despite the progress we’re making in the peace process, there are still a few thugs who think that they can use their cowardly bully boy tactics - these people don’t represent anybody,” said Mr. Cowen.
Derry Socialist and Environmental Alliance spokesperson, David McAuley said the actions taken against Liam Bradley and his family were “disgraceful”.
“Attacks like this achieve nothing politically, they just bring terror and fear to a community. The Real IRA justification of this attack on the basis that Mr. Bradley's son is a member of the PSNI, is pathetic.”
He added: “There will always be real problems with policing, this is hardly the way to tackle them. The people who carried out this attack are trapped in a failed political strategy, that takes no account of the society around them. Their actions will always divide working people and will never do anything to promote unity within our society.”
Mr. Bradley’s home has been targeted by anti-PSNI elements in the past - and explosive device was left outside his house while bullets and Mass cards have been left in his letter box.
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Weather for Derry
Wednesday 22 May 2013
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