Tears of a whole community

Rodney Edwards • Published 17 Dec 2009 09:00

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The entire community of Fermanagh are finding it incredibly difficult to come to terms with the death of Millie Martin.

Floral tributes and cuddly toys line the entrance of 16 Glebe Park, the home where last week the little toddler suffered horrendous injuries - injuries that were so severe, they killed her.

Nobody can quite believe that the life of a 15-month old baby has been taken in such a cruel and harrowing way - the whole community is shocked and upset.

Even senior officers working on the investigation have 'broken down in tears', we're told.

Representatives from across the community this week joined together to offer their sympathies to Millie's distraught family.

DUP MLA Arlene Foster who 'broke down and cried' when she heard the news, said; "It is totally inconceivable how anyone could hurt or harm any other person. It makes it so much more difficult when the victim is so young and defenceless. There is a desperate sense of sadness and disbelief in the local community, such is the shock. I would urge anyone who can assist the police with their investigations to come forward. May this little baby rest in peace,"

SDLP's Tommy Gallagher said; I am absolutely horrified to learn that the 15-month-old baby taken to hospital after suffering a serious assault has now died. The people of Enniskillen where this child lived will be shocked to the core. The death of a child in any circumstances is heartbreaking but the nature of this incident is particularly distressing,"

Tom Elliott of the Ulster Unionists said his 'deepest and heartfelt' condolences went out to Millie's entire family circle.

"This is a horrendous tragedy and one which has struck right at the heart of the community. Children are a blessing, and I know that everyone in Fermanagh and indeed across Northern Ireland are all thinking of the family whose pain we cannot even begin to contemplate,"

And Sinn Féin Councillor Phil Flanagan also expressed his sympathy; "On behalf of the people of Fermanagh, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased toddler. For such a young child to die, so close to Christmas and in such terrible circumstances, is a terrible loss for any family and my heart goes out to them at this difficult time,"

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 17 Dec 09

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