Liz's Story

My name is Liz. I became a part of this programme through the probation board.

In 1988, my sister was raped and murdered by our uncle. As an impact of this, my mummy took her own life two years later, leaving behind four children. I’m just more angry than anything because not only did he take my sister, he took my mum too. He’s been out of jail a couple of times. In the past he has broken his bail conditions, broken his license, and gone on the run. He’s now in an open prison where he can do anything, and it’s in the area where I live. I had to move out of my house for a week while he was on the run. My sister had to lie with a knife under her pillow. I remember I worked in the community as a care worker and the brakes on my car failed and I thought he’d found me. It’s traumatising because you’re in fear of your own life, but also your children’s lives and the lives of other children too.

My granny always took control of victim support, and when she passed, I took over. I am still fighting for justice for my sister.

I’m doing a lot of work behind the scenes. I’m trying to have meetings with the parole commission and have a voice for myself. They’ve responded by saying they have accepted my request to stand in front of them, but there’s been nothing, yet. I think he is up for another parole hearing this year. I just want them to hear what concerns I have. If this request is successful, I would be the first victim in Northern Ireland to do this, because we don’t have this system here, yet.

My hope is to remember my sister and my mum and find some – not closure – but justice. I hope by sharing my story that anyone out there in a similar situation will know there are people who want to help and that they keep fighting. Hopefully my story will help someone else and get justice for my sister.

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