Kate Carroll to meet McConville's parents

The parents of 41-year-old Brendan McConville have expressed their wish to meet the widow of Banbridge policeman Stephen Carroll after hearing her selfless words of sympathy following the two-month trial.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th May 2012, 22:51 BST

Speaking exclusively to the Leader at the end of March Kate said she felt sorry for McConville's parents, who acknowledged her on a few occasions in the public gallery during the trial.

She said: "They seemed like decent people to me. They acknowledged me twice with a nod and a slight smile and I did the same back. I feel sorry for them that, through no fault of their own, they have now lost a son."

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Now Kate has expressed her joy at what she feels "could be the start of the healing process in this country".

She told the Leader: "This is what I have wanted - I need to know from them why good people go wrong.

"I am so pleased that I may be able to make something positive out of this all."

McConville was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison, while co-defendant John Paul Wootton was given a 14-year term which has since been referred to the Court of Appeal for review after being criticised for being "too lenient".

Constable Stephen Carroll was shot dead while sitting in a police car during an emergency call-out to a housing estate in Craigavon in March 2009.