28 February 2008 Edition

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Gerry Adams meets Mongan family

Mary Ellen Cawley, Gerry Adams and Julia Mongan at the press conference

Mary Ellen Cawley, Gerry Adams and Julia Mongan at the press conference

BY PEADAR WHELAN

IN AN EMOTIONAL plea the family of John Mongan, killed in West Belfast three weeks ago, have called for justice for the murdered father of four.
In a statement issued by the Mongan family after they met with Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, the dead man’s niece Mary Ellen Cawley also rubbished speculation that John was killed as part of a feud.
John Mongan was hacked to death in his Fallswater Street home in the early hours of 7 February 2008.
His heavily pregnant wife, Julia, who was injured in the attack, gave birth to a baby son within 48 hours of her husband’s killing.
Three people have been charged in connection with murder.
In their statement the family said:
“We, the family of John Mongan, who was brutally murdered on 7 February, would firstly like to thank all the people who have shown our family sympathy and support during our recent loss.  
“John was a husband, a loving father of four children, a son, a brother to ten other siblings, and a loving uncle.  
“We would like to inform the public that John was not involved in any feud. He did not deserve to die but especially not in such a horrific manner in front of his pregnant wife and children.  
“We as a family do not want any revenge to be carried out in John’s memory.  
“We do not want any other family to go through what our family has suffered over this past couple of weeks.  
“All we want for John is that those who murdered him be brought to justice through the legal system.  
“We would call on anyone who has any other information that might be helpful to please pass it on to the PSNI.”
Also speaking after meeting the family, Gerry Adams, the MP for the constituency, called on anyone with any information about the murder of John Mongan to come forward so that those responsible can face due process.   
“John Mongan’s brutal murder has touched and outraged people in West Belfast. Mr Mongan was murdered in front of his wife who hours later gave birth to their baby.  
“I support the Mongan family’s appeal for those involved to be brought to justice.  
“The family have borne their dreadful loss with great dignity and there is a duty on all citizens to help them at this terrible time.
“Sinn Féin has met with all relevant statutory agencies and will do so again next week to ensure that the rights of the family and the rights of the Traveller community in general are safeguarded and upheld.”

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