abstract:Mary Travers was a teacher who was shot dead on 8 April 1984 by Provisional IRA gunmen who were trying to kill her father Tom Travers, a magistrate. Mary Travers was 22 at the time and her family were Catholic.
"Iamdeadenedand heartsick beyondwords to consider a lifewithoutMaryTraversandhonoredbeyondmywildest dreams to have sharedherspirit and her career, " hesaid.
Ms McArdle's appointment stirred controversy in 2011 when it was revealed she had been convicted for her part in the IRA murder of MaryTravers in 1984.