Mother forgives her son’s killer, a loyalist gunman, and prays for his soul after his death.
Bridie and her husband were grief-stricken. They even considered ending their own lives. The killer, Clifford McKeown, died recently. Bridie now prays for his soul daily.
He died after prison release. Michael worked as a taxi driver. The mom raised him in Glasgow. She says forgiveness is crucial.
She asks God for grace to forgive him often. Now, she prays for his soul’s mercy. God judges; not her. Michael was married with a baby coming. He was lured to a remote spot.
He was shot in the head. The murder happened during the Drumcree crisis. He had just graduated from university. The court heard that it was a birthday gift.
It was for LVF leader Billy Wright. He had moved to Northern Ireland. He was there to start his family. His parents later joined him.
He was targeted by chance. His Catholic link was why the hit happened. His dad forgave the killers at the funeral. “God help you,” he stated clearly. McKeown was convicted in 2003.
A judge called it a “chilling execution.” It was cowardly and random. Bridie and her husband almost died. They turned to charity instead of ending it all. They aided needy families abroad.
Her husband died in Moldova in 2006. It will be 30 years since the murder next year. She is now 81, still missing her son.
McKeown died at 65.
He served over half his life in jail. His funeral had fifty attendees. He could not get out easily. He could not get out under the Good Friday Agreement.
He got released last August. It was compassionate release after full senetnce. It was because he had become quite ill. His brother Malcolm had been shot dead in 2019.
The funeral notice called him a “loving uncle.” Bridie is still connected to her kin in Scotland. A priest told her to forgive. Forgiveness does not mean sitting with them.