Steve Carroll Foundation to be launched in the New Year

KATE Carroll will launch a foundation in memory of her husband next year, in a bid to both keep his memory alive and deter young people from violence.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Oct 2012, 09:00 BST

The Steve Carroll Foundation will be launched at Stormont in January 2013, almost four years after the Banbridge policeman was shot dead in Craigavon.

The Continuity IRA claimed responsiblity for the killing, and earlier this year former Sinn Fein councillor Brendan McConville and 21-year-old John Paul Wootton were jailed for their roles in the murder.

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A move to review the tariff handed down to those found guilty of killing a police officer was called for shortly after the convictions.

Wootton’s sentence of 14 years, as he was 17 years old at the time of the killing, was met with outrage from Kate and others who said it had simply been ‘a rap on the knuckles’.

In announcing the launch of the foundation in memory of her beloved husband Kate said she is desperately seeking sponsorship for awards to be offered through the body.

Two former Banbridge Academy pupils are currently the first two youth ambassadors for the foundation. Kate commended Enya Doyle and Lauren Sloan for their work in trying to organise sponsors for the First Beacon of Hope Scholarship, Northern Ireland Youth for Justice Campaigner’s Prize, Beacon of Hope Medals, and Beacon of Hope Inspirational Teacher.

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Kate thanked a number of people for helping to support the foundation, including PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott and former Chief Constable Hugh Orde.

“Many within and outside the PSNI and across the UK and Ireland held Steve in high affection, not least because of the obvious sincerity with which he promoted the ideals of democracy, social justice, youth and community development,” said Kate.

“I was and still am overwhelmed by the desire of some of our inspirational young people to tirelessly campaign for change here and was shocked earlier this year to realise that despite over 30 years of conflict here no other local agencies acknowledged these young agents for change.”

If anyone would like to get involved in sponsoring awards for the Steve Carroll Foundation please contact [email protected].

Related topics:BanbridgeCraigavon