Northern Ireland

Names of those who died during the Troubles to be read aloud at cross-community event

Fr Martin Magill will co-host a Service of Reflection, as part of the programme of events for Good Relations Week. Picture by Mal McCann
Fr Martin Magill will co-host a Service of Reflection, as part of the programme of events for Good Relations Week. Picture by Mal McCann Fr Martin Magill will co-host a Service of Reflection, as part of the programme of events for Good Relations Week. Picture by Mal McCann

THE names of all those who died during the Troubles are to be read aloud at a cross-community event in Belfast tonight.

Two of the city's most prominent clergyman, Rev Chris Hudson and Fr Martin Magill, will host a Service of Reflection, as part of the programme of events for Good Relations Week.

The cross-community, multi-faith service will recall the enormous cost of conflict in Northern Ireland with the names of all those who died read solemnly, alphabetically and without any comment as they are listed in the book Lost Lives.

The four-hour service will also include the names of the 158 people who have died since the final edition of the book was published in 2000.

Organisers said it is "expected to be a powerful illustration of the terrible suffering caused by death in conflict".

Every hour, the service at All Souls' Church, Elmwood Avenue will be interspersed by prayer or music. It will begin promptly at 8pm and will end shortly after midnight on Friday on International Day of Peace.

The event has been co-ordinated by the Community Relations Council as part of Good Relations Week, with more than 180 events taking place across Northern Ireland until Sunday.