SHAUN'S OWN PLEA FOR PEACE
Shaun's own plea for peace
"Orange and green, it doesn't matter
United now, don't shatter our dream
Scatter the seeds of peace
Over our land.
So we can travel hand in hand
across the bridge of hope'
This is the poem young Buncrana lad Shaun McLaughlin wrote for President McAleese after he visited her in Aras an Uachtaran some weeks ago with schoolmates.
Shaun typified any youngster with his rough and tumble attitude to life.
His cheeky smile and tossed hair, he was part of almost every group in the seaside town.
Neighbours recalled how he was a great little footballer and was a central part of the underage set-up with the Buncrana Youth Club team.
Local priest Fr.Sean Bradley recalled so many happy times with young Shaun who was an alter server in the local St. Mary's Church.
"He was a great little lad. He had a wicked smile and was always in good form. It's hard to believe that he is gone. He was an alter server here and was always up to something or other, when he turned up that is.' smiled Fr Bradley.
Shaun's heartbroken father described his 12 year old son as like any other father's son.
Fighting back tears and clutching wife Patricia's hand, John McLaughlin said he cannot yet find it in his heart to forgive his son's killers.
"The people of Buncrana have never been part of the troubles. We have always got on with everyone. My father said to me when I was a child that he hoped the troubles would stop with his generation.
"They didn't and now they have carried onto the next generation. When will this all stop?", he asked
"Orange and green, it doesn't matter
United now, don't shatter our dream
Scatter the seeds of peace
Over our land.
So we can travel hand in hand
across the bridge of hope'
This is the poem young Buncrana lad Shaun McLaughlin wrote for President McAleese after he visited her in Aras an Uachtaran some weeks ago with schoolmates.
Shaun typified any youngster with his rough and tumble attitude to life.
His cheeky smile and tossed hair, he was part of almost every group in the seaside town.
Neighbours recalled how he was a great little footballer and was a central part of the underage set-up with the Buncrana Youth Club team.
Local priest Fr.Sean Bradley recalled so many happy times with young Shaun who was an alter server in the local St. Mary's Church.
"He was a great little lad. He had a wicked smile and was always in good form. It's hard to believe that he is gone. He was an alter server here and was always up to something or other, when he turned up that is.' smiled Fr Bradley.
Shaun's heartbroken father described his 12 year old son as like any other father's son.
Fighting back tears and clutching wife Patricia's hand, John McLaughlin said he cannot yet find it in his heart to forgive his son's killers.
"The people of Buncrana have never been part of the troubles. We have always got on with everyone. My father said to me when I was a child that he hoped the troubles would stop with his generation.
"They didn't and now they have carried onto the next generation. When will this all stop?", he asked
Further Information
Publisher: DONEGAL PEOPLE'S PRESS
Ref: DP/003
Published Date: 19-Aug-98
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