SAOIRSE32

By Clare Weir
Belfast Telegraph
Saturday 28, June 2008

Emmett Shiels, the brave dad-to-be murdered by gunmen as he tried to protect his friends, was laid to rest amid emotional scenes in Derry today.

A priest told the huge crowd of mourners that Emmett’s death could prove a “turning point” for the community in the rejection of violence.

Father Michael Canny added that the shooting in the early hours of Tuesday was “an act of utter madness” and that such violence was “a cancer in society” which must be removed.

The 22-year-old pizza delivery driver was laid to rest in the City Cemetery following an emotional service at St Eugene’s Cathedral.

Several of his friends wore Celtic football shirts with his name and age printed on the back.

Fr Canny told mourners: “The brutal murder of Emmett means that a young life with hope and much potential has been cut short before reaching maturity.

“It also means that his adoptive parents, Patsy and Teresa Moore, are heartbroken, the lives of his natural family and adoptive brothers and sisters are shattered.

“His partner is left without her companion of a number of years and a son soon to be born will never know or see his father.

“An act of utter madness has shattered the lives of many and for the family, partner and friends of Emmett, life will never be the same again.”

“Emmett’s death has caused many in our community to speak of their revulsion. Others spoke of how they felt sickened. Others again spoke of how as a community we had come to “a fork in the road” moment. A pivotal moment.

“Violence is like a cancer in society. Unwittingly we can provide fertile soil in which it can grow.

“A cancerous growth can and does kill if it is not checked and treated at an early stage. Bringing it under control will involve all of us making a choice for life.

“We can choose the direction that leads to peace or the direction that leads to destruction.”

“Today is a day for the family and friends to grieve and mourn but as we go from here as individuals and as a community we must reflect on the choices available and decisions which need to be taken if the death of Emmett is to be a genuine ‘fork in the road’ moment that we have seized.

“To go from here and do nothing will be equivalent to sleepwalking into the future.”

Mourners included the dead man’s foster parents Patsy and Teresa Moore, his brothers and sisters and his pregnant partner Trina Bradley.

There have been suspicions of paramilitary connections to the murder. The INLA has denied involvement, but local people have suggested that people close to the organisation were involved. The INLA’s ‘political wing’ the IRSP has met a brother of Mr Shiels to discuss the murder.

Meanwhile, police have been given more time to question a teenager in connection with the murder - as officers distributed leafters and posters asking for more information about the killing.

A court has granted an extension to allow the 19-year-old to be interviewed until Saturday night.

Another man who presented himself to Strand Road police station has been released without charge.

It is understood Mr Shiels was caught up in a melee after friends of his were targeted in an earlier incident.

Anyone with information about the murder is asked to call police on 7136 7337.

Information can also be given anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.