Debate contribution: Mr Paul Butler: Condolences
Debate contribution by Miss Michelle McIlveen on .
- MLA
- Miss Michelle McIlveen
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 28 September 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Assembly Business
- Heading
- Mr Paul Butler: Condolences
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5761663
Read the official Assembly record
Text
On 26 January 1974, John Rodgers was on duty in Glengormley. He was 50 years old. A foreman mechanic, a husband and a father of four, he gave of his spare time to serve as a Reserve constable to keep his neighbours safe. He was walking past a bar with a colleague when a single shot was fired. It killed him. Paul Butler was convicted of that murder and spent almost 15 years in prison. Whatever came after that is what matters to the Rodgers family; for over 50 years, they have lived without him. A man's death brings grief to those who loved him — I do not deny that — but John Rodgers' family were given no time to say goodbye. Today, our thoughts are very much with them.
131 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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