First sod cut for £1M RUC remembrance garden

The Northern Ireland Secretary of State John Reid has cut the first sod at a £1 million memorial garden in honour of police officers killed and wounded in Northern Ireland.

The Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Garden situated at PSNI headquarters in Belfast pays tribute to policemen and women across the province over the last 80 years.

Dr Reid said: “The contribution and sacrifices of the brave men and women of the Royal Ulster Constabulary must never be forgotten.

“The work of the RUC George Cross Foundation will ensure that those sacrifices and achievements are remembered and honoured in a dignified manner. The memorial Garden will be a key element.”

Commenting that it was just over two years since the Queen had presented the George Cross to the RUC Dr Reid said that there had been major changes to policing in Northern Ireland: “Much of the emphasis has been on moving forward. However, every society, in moving forward, ought to take stock of where it has come from. It is only right and proper that we should take the time to pause and to remember. The memorial garden will enable us to do just that and I am delighted that work on it is now about to begin.”

The garden, which is expected to be completed at the end of the year, aims to move away from the traditional concept of a war memorial, adopting a more contemporary feel.

The needs of the disabled, visually impaired and hard of hearing will also be accommodated in the new garden.

A wall of remembrance will be constructed and will include the names of all RUC, Ulster Special Constabulary and Police Authority members who died in service or as a result of terrorism.

(AMcE)