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Tragic family hopeful for Spanish justice

Thursday, 07 August 2008

THE Northside family of murdered mum Celine Conroy are planning to travel to Spain later this year where they will tell a court about the devastation caused by her savage killing.
After a three year wait, the family have finally been given a date for the trial of Celine’s former partner, Paul Hickey, who stands accused of the killing.
The mother-of-three was brutally killed while on holiday in Spain three years ago.
Her heartbroken family, who live on Sean O’Casey Avenue, Dublin 1, will get their day in court on November 13 when they will be allowed to give a victim impact statement.
“I didn’t know whether to jump for joy or break down in tears when the solicitor rang from Spain to say we had a date for the case,” Celine’s heart broken mother Sandra Conroy said.
“I’m a bit apprehensive about it even though I couldn’t wait for a date to be set.”
Mother-of-three Celine had just turned 28 when she was killed in her holiday apartment in Alicante in August 2005.
Paul Hickey, who is originally from Darndale, has been detained in Spain since Celine’s violent death.
“I’m really nervous about seeing her partner again,” Sandra told Northside People.

“I don’t know what my reaction will be. I’m nervous about the whole thing.
“I have so much anger inside me still. I’ll never get over the loss of Celine. She was not just a daughter to me - she was my best friend. We went shopping together, we swapped clothes… I can’t describe how much I miss her.”
She added: “I feel as if a big part of me died with her. I wear nothing but black now. I don’t take a drink or go out anymore. I’m not a bitter person, but I’ll never be able to forgive and get over the death of Celine.”
The Conroy family has waited patiently for the Spanish authorities to call a date for the trial.
“There is no doubt that if Celine was killed in Ireland, her case would have been heard a long time ago,” she said.
“The process in Spain is frustrating and the language barrier has made things harder.
“Although the one good thing about it is that I will be able to give my victim impact statement in court.”
Sandra and the rest of her family have cared for Celine’s three young children, Shane (12), Chloe (9) and Leah (5), since she died.
“The children speak about the night she died every now and then,” Sandra told Northside People.
“I think they are starting to open up although we can never even begin to imagine the extent of what they saw that night.
“We try to reassure the kids that they can talk to us and that there’s nothing to fear.
“I think Shane blames himself for not being able to help his mother.”
According to the Sandra, getting justice for “her beautiful daughter” is the only thing that has got her through the last three years.
“I’ve suffered from cancer and had two very serious operations,” she explained.
“The only thing that has got me through everything is the thought of being there in court to represent Celine.
“The illnesses I’ve had are nothing compared to the hurt and pain I’ve been through since she died.”

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