Minister attends 2003 Bangor Business Awards

The 2003 Bangor Business Awards came to a conclusion on the 27th February with a gala dinner held in the Clandeboye Lodge. The dinner was attended by Ian Pearson who complimented the Bangor Chamber of Commerce and Town centre Management on the professional presentation and organisation of the evening.


HERMON'S ANGER AT BRUTAL MURDER

Following the tragic murder of Bangor man, Richard Hamill, in the town at the weekend, North Down MP Lady Hermon commented:
First of all, let me say how very sorry I am that the family of Richard Hamill has to endure the awful heartache and pain of losing their son in such terrible circumstances. Richard was so young, only 28 years of age, and he had his life taken from him by a murderer who cared nothing for the sanctity of human life or for the devastation his killing would cause to his family and friends.
Nothing, absolutely nothing, can ever justify such a senseless murder or ever undo the suffering inflicted upon Richard's family. They have my deepest sympathy and concern. My thoughts are also with those who had been enjoying a party with Richard in St Gallen Court when the killer struck. They too have to come to terms with the enormous shock of Richard's brutal killing.
In commenting on the reaction of the local police, Lady Hermon said: I do commend the police for their swift action in arresting the primary suspect, who presumably still had his gun and undoubtedly posed a continuing threat to the lives of others.
His actions persuade me still further that the Government owes a duty to the people of Northern Ireland to put in place much more stringent measures to tackle the illegal possession of firearms here, and not just in England and Wales as currently proposed by the Home Secretary.
In response to my recent Written Parliamentary Question on this very point, Security Minister, Jane Kennedy MP, explained that 'Northern Ireland's firearms legislation is undergoing a major review and a proposal for a Draft Firearms Order is currently the subject of consultation.' The Minister also undertook to consider my request for new penalties by adding that she would 'consider the question of mandatory minimum sentences as part of that review.'
Ends.      #