The mother of a Scots taxi-driver murdered by a loyalist gunman 25 years ago has told how she prays for her son’s killer every day.
Bridie McGoldrick was so consumed by grief when her son Michael, a Catholic from Glasgow, was shot dead in County Armagh in July 1996 that she and her husband made a suicide pact.
Now, a powerful new book has revealed how the 78-year-old summoned incredible strength to forgive the man who took her only child’s life through her faith.
Bridie, who brought up her son in Glasgow’s Gorbals with late husband Michael senior, told the Record she has found it in her heart to one day meet and embrace killer Clifford McKeown, who is in the final stretch of his 24-year prison sentence.
She said: “I think of the man who killed Michael every day. I have prayed for him every day.
“How do you forgive someone who murdered your child? I didn’t do the forgiving. God gave me the grace to forgive and I have to ask for that every day.
“If I was to come face to face with him now I would have to just put my arms around him. Yes, with a heavy heart, but he’s another mother’s child and he’s precious.”
Michael was a married dad-of-one with a new baby on the way when he was lured to a remote spot near Lurhan and shot five times in the back of the head during the height of the Drumcree crisis.
The 31-year-old had just graduated from university days before and did not know his killer, who a court heard carried out the brutal attack as a “birthday present” for notorious LVF leader Billy Wright.
It’s believed Michael, who moved to Northern Ireland in his 20s to start a family and was joined by his parents, was targeted by chance after picking up the fare because of Catholic links to the taxi firm he worked part time for.
At his funeral, his dad addressed his son’s killers to make an impassioned plea for peace, saying: “I forgive you, my wife forgives you, my family forgives you. God help you.’’
McKeown was convicted of Michael’s murder in 2003.
Scots author Lorna Farrell has now penned a book, A Mother’s Love, about Bridie’s journey to forgiveness, which saw her and Michael senior transform the lives of thousands of destitute families in Romania and Moldova through a charity they set up in tribute to their son called United Christian Aid.
Tragically, Michael senior died suddenly from septicaemia while on a mercy mission to Moldova in 2006.
Though the charity has now wound up due to Bridie’s ill health, two villages in Malawi are still benefitting from the legacy.
The “proud Glaswegian”, who still lives in Northern Ireland, said: “The troubles didn’t affect us until our son was killed. He wasn’t involved in anything, he was working his part time taxi job to provide for his family and we lived in a bubble.
“After Michael died me and my husband decided our lives were over. When we handed ourselves over to God, that’s when everything changed.
“To be given the opportunity to get revenge, for retaliation to be done. No, that’s not what we wanted. Why would I want to see another mother suffer like I suffered?
“I realised if I’m not part of the solution, I’m definitely the problem.
“Six months after our son’s death we got involved in the charity. My husband said ‘our child doesn’t need us anymore but there’s so many that do’.
“When I knew there was a mother in the world who was able to put bread on the table for her children and see that smile because of the work, it was priceless.
“Because my son died thousands of people have lived and that was part of the journey.”
Bridie has spent the last five years gradually sharing her story to create a book dedicated to her son.
She said: “Writing the book has been such an emotional journey. I do pray that this book helps ease others’ suffering, because that pain is so hard.
“My child was our life. He was born into love and lived all his life in love so why should I let his death bring anything but love.”
Author Lorna said: “The book is not only about Michael’s murder, it’s a beautiful love story as well.
“A lot of the woman that Bridie is now was forged in the Gorbals growing up post-war.
“She’s a remarkable woman. Her story is so powerful and deserves to be told.
“I hope that it will help others be encouraged to look for faith and restore that sense that love is greater than hate.”
A Mother's Love is available on Lorna's website.
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