Families of civil servants who died during the Troubles in Northern Ireland are being asked to come forward and help plan a memorial for them.
Speaking at an event marking the 50th anniversary of the death of an official killed during the conflict in Belfast, Northern Ireland Civil Service head Jayne Brady said the NICS is “considering how best to create a permanent memorial” to government staff.
John McCormac was shot as he walked along Raglan Street, and died three days later.
“John was killed as he was carrying out a house visit in West Belfast in May 1973, as part of his job within the civil service,” Brady said.
Photo Front row: Shane McCormac (left), Paul McCormac (right), and Conor McCormac holding a photograph of their late father, John. Back row: Ian Jeffers and Jayne Brady.
She said the event, which was also attended by McCormac’s three sons and commissioner for victims and survivors Ian Jeffers, was an opportunity to honour McCormac’s memory and “acknowledge the devastating impact his death had on his loved ones”.
“Although today is about paying tribute to John, it is also a poignant reminder of the tragic loss of other civil servants killed during the Troubles/conflict,” she said.
“As such, the Northern Ireland Civil Service is considering how best to create a permanent memorial and I would encourage those families who lost a loved one to come forward so that we can discuss together how best to pay tribute to them.”
Denis McMahon, permanent secretary of The Executive Office, said: “I hope this anniversary event in John’s honour can go even a small way towards acknowledging the pain suffered by his family over the last 50 years.
“It is right that we create a memorial to John and other NICS colleagues and I look forward to working with those families of civil servants who wish to be involved.”
Family members of civil servants who would like to be involved in the development of a permanent memorial can email the TEO Victims Unit at: Victims.Unit@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk.