Kathleen Gillespie

*Warning you will find details within this story distressing*

Kathleen Gillespie courageously shares her family’s story of extreme trauma, and how she has fought hard to salvage peace from pain.  Her husband Patsy was killed in an IRA bomb he was forced to drive to an army checkpoint at Coshquin, in October 1990.  Patsy & five soldiers were killed.

In this conversation, Kathleen opens up about the darkness that descended and how she battled within herself to create a legacy of peace for her husband.  She chats honestly about the challenges of embarking on peacemaking conversations, that led her into engagement with people she didn't want to encounter.

This podcast was recorded prior to the British government’s recent announcement of intent to create a statute of limitations for all Troubles related killings.  But here, Kathleen puts on record her views on justice, forgiveness & what she would say if she met those who took Patsy’s life.

Keep listening right to the end - where Kathleen shares a gorgeous story of a family miracle that has brought her hope!

*Show Notes*

/Patsy Gillespie - a dad of 3 children and husband to Kathleen.  He was strapped into a van by an IRA gang and forced to drive a bomb into a British Army checkpoint on the border between Derry and Donegal on 24 October 1990.  He and 5 soldiers were killed.

/Glencree - a centre for conflict resolution in Co Wicklow, that specialises in inclusive dialogue, mediation, negotiation and peace education.

/Wave - an organisation based in Northern Ireland that offers care and support to anyone bereaved, injured or traumatised through the civil unrest here.