In Ireland

The Victims and Survivors Trust

MARK OF RESPECT... Irish Foreign Affairs Minister David Andrews visits Mr Enright's home in west Belfast last night

Picture: Ann McManus

Irish News Wednesday January 14th 1998

Emotion high as community unites in tribute to Terry

By Louise McCall

LVF murder victim Terry Enright gave his life to the community and would want young people to carry on his work, a priest said at a vigil outside the dead man's home yesterday.

Father Dessie Wilson told several hundred people, including Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs David Andrews, who had gathered outside Mr Enright's Whiterock Road home to pay tribute to the popular youth leader, that he must not be forgotten.

Mr Andrews took time out of the talks at Stormont to visit Mr Enright's relatives.

Mr Enright was working as a doorman in the Space nightclub, Belfast, when LVF gunmen opened fire on Saturday night.

Fr Wilson said: "When we remember Terry as we always will we don't remember only with anger or sorrow we remember him with great thankfulness for all the wonderful things he did, along with his family and friends."

He said Mr Enright's killers "in their hatred would not understand" the unselfish work carried out by Terry for both sides of the community.

"What we will do is make our determination more and more clear today and every day. We are a dignified people. We will be a free people no matter who stands in the way of our freedom, as the killers of Terry did.

"We are not a fearful people; we are an angry people. Those who have persecuted our families and friends will be brought to justice."

Fr Wilson said any political settlement which does not provide for this "is not worth anything".

"You and all of us have great work to do, to make sure that the kind of world that Terry worked for does happen and we will all be part of it. Nothing less will do either for our dignity or the memory of Terry and other friends who lived and died so courageously to make it happen," he added.

Hundreds of people turned up to pay their respects to Mr Enright.

Mark Kerr who works in Newhill Youth Club said: "I am sure every one of us has our own special memories of Terry. I know that my memories will be a help to me for the rest of my life," he said.

Marty Maguire said he hoped Mr Enright's dream for Catholics and Protestants to be together would be achieved.

Jacqueline Hughes chose the hit song You are the light of my life to sum up her feelings.

Her rendition moved the crowds with many unable to contain their grief sobbing openly.

Jacqueline finished the song and then broke down before being consoled by friends, saying: "I can't believe he is gone."

The young people dedicated the hit song Wind Beneath My Wings to Mr Enright, which was sung by Georgina Richmond.

Clearly moved by the vigil organised by young people devastated at Mr Enright's murder, the victim's brother Liam thanked the crowd and urged young people "to be strong".

"Terry loved you all very much, just be strong. Let's take something positive out of Terry's death. Let's show the community. Let's go on and build on what he has left you."

Mr Enright will be buried today after a funeral service at 1pm in Holy Trinity Church, Turf Lodge.

Irish News Wednesday January 14th 1998

Nightclub bouncers fear for their safety

By Jonathan Turner

BOUNCERS at pubs and clubs across Northern Ireland are "easy targets" for the LVF, according to one Belfast boxing coach.

John Breen, who supplies door staff to clubs in Dungannon, Armagh and Belfast, described the murder of two doormen in separate attacks by loyalists as "very frightening".

Speaking from his city centre gym yesterday, Mr Breen said many doormen had taken extra precautions, while others had pulled out of the job altogether.

Mr Breen knew both Seamus Dillon, who was killed at the Glengannon Hotel in Dungannon, and the latest LVF victim, Terry Enright.

In both cases the gunmen pulled up in a car and opened fire on a group of door staff. Mr Enright was killed as he and other bouncers ran for cover.

At the Glengannon one doorman had a lucky escape when he dived behind a kerb to take cover.

"Door staff are easy targets, that's what it is," Mr Breen said. "You are standing there on the look-out for trouble inside the club more than outside."

Mr Breen - who still works as a doorman himself - said bouncers were now looking at ways to stay in cover and still do their job.

"We have taken precautions, there's no doubt about that. Some places have put steel doors up, that sort of thing.

"Doormen are now trying to stay out of the street and going inside where they will be less of a target."

He added: "We have to be more observant. Sometimes there is a tendency to get complacent.

"But all it takes is a split second and then it's all over. That's all it takes."

Mr Breen said he employed members of both communities, and had no idea why the LVF gunmen had decided to target door staff.

"I can't understand that. The doormen are there to try and help everybody.

"They are just trying to get a wage and do their job as best they can."

Door staff probably acted "on impulse" when they were faced with an attack, Mr Breen said.

"Nine out of 10 doormen just follow their natural instincts. They are not getting paid enough to put their lives at risk."

He added: "Every night I go out on the job I say a prayer, even before all this started.

"You always think to yourself, could this be the night that something bad happens?"

SOFT TARGETS... doorman John Breen, taking a break from working out at the gym yesterday, says the recent sectarian murders of two bouncers have heightened concern that members of the profession are seen as easy targets

Picture: Hugh Russell