SEFF service of remembrance held in Lack

The South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) held its fourth annual service of remembrance for victims of the Troubles yesterday.

"The whole idea behind this service is to provide the wider community with an opportunity to show solidarity with the innocent victims and survivors of terrorism and other Troubles-related violence," Kenny Donaldson, Director of Services at SEFF, told Q radio news.

He was speaking ahead of the group's annual service of remembrance and thanksgiving held in County Fermanagh yesterday.

In excess of 300 people attended the service held at Colaghty Church of Ireland in Lack. 

The theme of this year's Service was; 'Carrying forward the Torch of Remembrance.' 

The theme very much connected with the content of the Service - where young people played a central and pivotal role.

SEFF's new youth choir comprised of young people whose loved ones were murdered through terrorism sang their debut performance, young people also relayed Bible readings, assisted in performing the roles of ushers and of collectors.

In a statement, Director of Services at SEFF Kenny Donaldson stated: "We were overwhelmed by the support we received for yesterday's Service where people came along in their droves to show solidarity with the innocent victims and survivors of terrorism.

Within the Service content were a number of special elements including the dedication of six new Memorial Quilt patches to, Const Stephen Carroll, Const Ronan Kerr, Const David Black, Mary Travers, William Heenan and Sgt John Eaglesham".

"We also focused on three local murders which were committed within the Parish and adjacent area and which had such a profound effect upon the families concerned and indeed the wider community. Jillian Johnston, Ronald Funston and Jim Oldman. Family representatives of these three local people contributed testimony, a Bible reading and prayers".

"Yesterday's Service brought together people from a wide cross section of the community. There were also people present from Great Britain and The Republic of Ireland. The commonality all present shared was their opposition to terrorism and criminal violence being used (Present or Past) in the pursuance of or defence of a political objective.

"We extend a warm thanks to all those involved in making yesterday's Service so special and in particular Rev Alan Irwin and his Parish Vestry (who himself is an innocent victim/survivor of terrorism through having had his own father Thomas and uncle Frederick murdered) Rev Alan's message was a message of resilience, of the need to continue the pursuit of justice, truth and accountability - and it was delivered in a wonderful spirit of Christian HOPE," concluded Mr Donaldson.