The RUC have confirmed that solicitor Rosemary Nelson has died from her injuries following a bomb explosion in Lurgan this afternoon. Detective Inspector Sam Kinkaid, who was at the scene, described the killing as a cold-blooded brutal murder of a well-known solicitor who was also a wife and mother.
Among those to immediately condemn the attack have been the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sinn Féin, the SDLP, and the Northern Ireland Law Society. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, David Andrews, said that her murder was a very deliberate attempt to intimidate those whose task it is to provide legal representation to those who need it. He said her murder was very clearly designed to sabotage the peace process at this very critical time.
The British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, described it as a disgusting act of barbarity. He said that no effort would be spared in hunting down and bringing to justice those responsible. Speaking in Washington, the North's Deputy First Minister, Seamus Mallon, said that he was shocked and disgusted. He said that the peace process was all the more necessary as a result of the attack.
A special incident room has been set up at Lurgan RUC station. Detectives are appealing for anyone who noticed anything suspicious in the area over the past few days to contact them. It is understood that the device exploded under Ms. Nelson's car. The RUC said no warning was given and that no group has claimed responsibility.
Ms. Nelson defended Republican clients and also represented the Garvaghy Residents Coalition their campaign to prevent Unionists from marching down their road. Ms. Nelson complained last year that she had been threatened and intimidated by the RUC.
