MURDERED MOIRA & HER LEGACY OF LOVE

Sunday Mirror, Jun 15, 2008 by JULIE-ANN BARNES

THE BOYFRIEND of murdered Moira Jones broke down yesterday during a heart-wrenching memorial service.

Grief-stricken Paul Thompson stood arm-in-arm with Moira's heartbroken parents for the emotional ceremony in Glasgow's Queens Park.

It was the first time Paul had been seen in public since Moira's brutal death two weeks ago.

He had travelled down from his father's home in Fort William where he has been seeking solace since her murder.

Paul, Moira's parents Bea, 67, and Hugh, 69, were among 150 people who gathered for the ceremony in the hope it would help locals reclaim the park where businesswoman Moira was savagely raped and beaten to death.

Moira's parents gripped each other tightly as a piper played a lament and members of Strathclyde Police and the public laid flowers by a tree just inside the park.

The Rev Neil Galbraith, head of Glasgow the Caring City charity, who led the service, offered prayers to all those working on the murder case and all those affected by it.

He said: "A terrible evil came to this dear green place. Let the legacy of love Moira leaves behind bear inspiration."

He hoped the "healing ceremony" would turn the place of Moira's brutal murder into a "happy memory".

The crowd, led by piper Gordon Jack, 17, walked around the park's paths where Moira loved to walk and jog.

Members of the community and Southside Central Green Party Councillor Danny Alderslowe then planted a cherry tree, donated by Holy Cross primary school.

Mr Alderslowe said: "My own daughter and girlfriend were in the park when Moira's body was found. There is fear and frustration in the community. What happened is bad and wrong.

But tragedy brings a community together."

Mums, dads and children lay on picnic blankets and enjoyed the sun in a deliberate act of defiance against Moira's brutal killer.

Charlene O'Neill, who lives in Queen's Park Drive, insisted that the park should not become a no-go area. She said: "People are scared but you certainly can't let that control your life. I cycle through the park at night. I'm more conscious of the danger now but I'll still use the park at night."

Moira's partially-clothed body was found in bushes by a park ranger on May 29, following a violent struggle outside her house the night before.

The 40-year-old Britvic saleswoman had been returning home from a visit to her boyfriend's house when she was savagely attacked.

Detectives said they had searched every inch of the park and vowed it was only a "matter of time" before her killer was caught.

Floral tributes were placed at the foot of a tree just inside the park gates.

One read: "Mozza, all the laughs, all the good times.

They will never be forgotten. Love forever, Jude, Gregor and family."

Another said: "Miss you every day, Robert and Sharon."

Detective Chief Inspector Derek Robertson said: "I am grateful that we can now return the park to the local people.

"Meanwhile, our inquiries continue into Moira's murder and I would again take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who knows anything whatsoever to come forward."