I would just like to ask if you could spare a thought or prayer or light a candle for the family of Manuela Riedo; and for her. She was a young Swiss girl who came to Ireland last Saturday with a group of fellow students, to improve her English. She was only three days in this country when she was attacked and murdered in an isolated area, on her way to meet her friends. She was 17 years old, young and beautiful and excited to be on her first trip abroad.
It is unfathomable that such a terrible thing could happen here and yet it has. Everyone is so shocked, upset and absolutely horrified at what happened to Manuela and one cannot even begin to think of how her parents and friends must feel.
So for Manuela, rest in peace now and may your attacker be found and brought swiftly to justice.
For her parents, friends, boyfriend and relatives, although no words or thoughts can even begin to touch what they're feeling, may all that's good in the universe somehow find them and give them whatever solace is possible and some peace, with time.
le beannacht
This is a recent picture of Manuela, smiling in the sunlight in Galway. I wish there was some way her parents could keep that happy image in their minds, instead of the terror of her death. http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/1011/riedom.html
