Hurt caused by New York City mayor’s honour for Gerry Adams

A man who was just 12 when he found his father murdered by the IRA has said he wants to explain to New York City’s mayor the hurt he caused by honouring Gerry Adams.

Bill de Blasio said St Patrick’s Day should be renamed after the former Sinn Féin president, hailing him as a peacemaker and praising his goal of a united Ireland.

His actions have drawn criticism from families of victims of the Troubles.

Sammy Heenan, who was orphaned when the IRA shot his father dead on their Castlewellan farm in May 1985, told UTV he found it painful to hear what the New York mayor said.

Describing the horror of finding the trail of blood that led to his father’s body, he said: “It has impacted on me to this day and it is something I will never every forget.”

Recalling terror attacks in recent years on US soil, Mr Heenan said: “Someone like the mayor of New York should have taken a stand against terrorism.”

Gerry Adams has said he was delighted to be honoured by Bill de Blasio – however, Mr Heenan believes the accolade should be withdrawn.