Kate thanks the people of Banbridge

Police Constable Stephen Carroll was murdered in March 2009 when he attended an emergency call-out to Lismore Manor in Craigavon.

The murder was later claimed by the Continuity IRA and last week two men were convicted of the killing.

Brendan McConville, of Glenholme Avenue and John Paul Wootton, of Collindale in Lurgan will be sentenced in the coming weeks. Wootton’s mother Sharon pleaded guilty in February to obstructing police during their investigations into the murder. She is yet to be sentenced.

In an interview with the Leader following the guilty verdicts Kate 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.”

For the full interview with Kate Carroll see today’s Leader.