Justice For Paul
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Mother of tragic toddler describes 'emotional' court hearing
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| Paul Gallagher |
THE MOTHER of a toddler mown down and killed by a speedboat has described facing the men charged with her son's death during a court hearing.
Andrea Gallagher, of Repton Road, Orpington, was in the Bahamas for the hearing of three men who are all charged with the manslaughter through negligence of her son Paul.
Two-year-old Paul died after being hit by an unmanned, unlicensed and unregistered speedboat which mounted the beach as he slept in August 2002.
Following almost five years of campaigning, charges were brought against boat driver James Bain and craft owners Clifford Nottage and Evangeless Williamson in January.
They are all charged with manslaughter through negligence and Williamson faces an additional charge of perjury.
All three men were released on bail ahead of a preliminary hearing at Nassau Magistrates' Court on April 13.
The hearing, which was attended by Mrs Gallagher and her husband Paul, was adjourned until May 18 after the Crown Prosecution lawyer asked for more time to collect and collate evidence.
The men were released on bail ahead of this date
Mrs Gallagher said: "It was very frustrating and upsetting for us.
"All three men were there, we were ushered in and were sitting just benches away from them.
"They didn't approach us and we held back but it was very hard.
"Seeing them brought it all back and made all the emotions come up again but we had to hold ourselves together."
Mrs Gallagher says she is frustrated at the adjournment because the family cannot afford to return to the island for the next hearing.
Instead, former British Amabassador Peter Young has told them family he will attend it on their behalf.
She said: "The Crown Prosecution laywer told the magistrates he didn't have enough evidence or paperwork to take the case forward to the supreme court and asked for a four-week adjournment.
"We can't go back for that, but that is when we will find out if it will go to the supreme court.
"Mr Young told us he is hopeful it will go forward and will be heard this year but we have our doubts and are still very worried.
"We are hoping it will go our way but we have heard all this before.
"It just goes on and on. That's the hardest part."
Mr and Mrs Gallagher and their children Heather and Andrew were in the Bahamas for four weeks in preparation for the hearing.
Holiday operator Thomas Cook, whom the family used during their initial holiday when the tragedy struck, paid for their tickets.
The Atlantis hotel, which is bordered by the beach where Paul was hit, paid for their stay.
Mrs Gallagher said: "Thomas Cook won't pay for any more flights for us and the Atlantis won't put us up again - even though we are battling for justice and for the safety of other tourists.
"The likelihood is we will be called back as witnesses and we are worried we won't be able to afford it.
"We will just have to raise the money somehow."
She added: "There was one very good thing however.
"In the welcome kit in our room at the Atlantis, we found a letter warning guests not to use the water sports on offer on the island as they may be unlicenced and dangerous.
"The hotel told us it was under pressure from the Bahamian Government to remove the letter in light of the recent changes in legislation over water sports, but they told us they are refusing.
"That was very good news to us, particularly as Paul managed to photograph the same men still operating on the beach there."
News Shopper has been campaigning for Justice for Paul since February last year.
1:25pm Monday 7th May 2007
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CommentPosted by: John, Orpington on 2:19pm Mon 7 May 07
I've read the heartbreaking stories of the Gallaghers since the tragic loss of their son and think it is very important they can see justice being done. Can the News Shopper run some kind of appeal where readers can contribute money to a fund so they can go back to the Bahamas when it is necessary?
I've read the heartbreaking stories of the Gallaghers since the tragic loss of their son and think it is very important they can see justice being done. Can the News Shopper run some kind of appeal where readers can contribute money to a fund so they can go back to the Bahamas when it is necessary?
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