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06/07/2001
TRIMBLE APOLOGISES TO CUMMINGS FAMILY
ULSTER Unionist leader David Trimble has apologised to the family of the Antrim teenager shot dead on Wednesday.
The former Northern Ireland first minister was forced to retract comments he made, which indicated that the shooting had been a result of alleged drugs links and had been carried out by republicans.
Mr Trimble said that he was sorry for any distress that had been caused by his statement. He said: “The indications I had received were inaccurate and I obviously withdraw those comments. I wish to apologise to the family for any suffering that the comments may have caused them.”
The funeral of 19-year-old Mr Cummings is due to take place on Saturday.
Mr Cummings was murdered on Wednesday morning when two men approached him on a motorcycle and fired several shots killing him.
SDLP Minister Brid Rodgers, who had met with the family on Thursday evening, said that the family would no doubt be relived at Mr Trimble’s public retraction and apology. She said that the family had been “very upset” by the implications of the comments.
Police have revealed that they are examining a black motorcycle found in a garage in a loyalist area of Antrim to see if it was the one used in the shooting incident.
(SP)
The former Northern Ireland first minister was forced to retract comments he made, which indicated that the shooting had been a result of alleged drugs links and had been carried out by republicans.
Mr Trimble said that he was sorry for any distress that had been caused by his statement. He said: “The indications I had received were inaccurate and I obviously withdraw those comments. I wish to apologise to the family for any suffering that the comments may have caused them.”
The funeral of 19-year-old Mr Cummings is due to take place on Saturday.
Mr Cummings was murdered on Wednesday morning when two men approached him on a motorcycle and fired several shots killing him.
SDLP Minister Brid Rodgers, who had met with the family on Thursday evening, said that the family would no doubt be relived at Mr Trimble’s public retraction and apology. She said that the family had been “very upset” by the implications of the comments.
Police have revealed that they are examining a black motorcycle found in a garage in a loyalist area of Antrim to see if it was the one used in the shooting incident.
(SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A mostly dry evening and night with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive, especially in the south. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
