Kate Carroll is ‘an inspiration’

Last week Kate told the Leader how she felt no hatred, but rather pity and disgust at the men who shot her husband dead in Craigavon three years ago.

Constable Stephen Carroll’s wife has been praised for the dignified way in which she has conducted herself since his death and during the “gruelling” two-month trial of former Sinn Fein councillor Brendan McConville and 20-year-old John Paul Wootton.

Kate had been married to Constable Carroll for 24 years and the couple were looking forward to spending the rest of their lives together as he neared retirement.

Leader readers have been keen to make their respect for Kate known, following her reaction to the McConville and Wootton convictions.

On our Facebook page Lynn Laverty said Kate is “a fantastic lady” who embodies “pure class”, while Kathy Martin said she is proud of the Banbridge grandmother.

Patricia Kinchin said Kate is “an inspiration to all of us”, and added that it is “a pity more people aren’t like her”.

Tracy Harries said Kate has been dignified throughout and said she is glad the widow finally got some of the justice she deserved.

Following the guilty verdicts last month Kate said she felt relief to finally know some of those responsible for taking her beloved husband from her had been caught and brought to justice.

The pair, along with Wootton’s mother Sharon who admitted obstructing police investigations into the murder, will be sentenced in the coming weeks.

Last week Kate also expressed her gratitude to the people of her hometown for their support during such a difficult time.

“The people of Banbridge have been so good to me,” she said. “They have stuck by me the whole way through all of this and for that I want to say a sincere thank-you.”

Kate also paid tribute to the police officers working on the investigation into her husband’s killing.

She said: “I have built up a great rapport with them over time and they are always keeping me informed and checking that I am ok. Two in particular have been a great support to me and I am just so grateful to them all, not least for securing these two convictions.”