They stood in the rain one thousand strong and shoulder to shoulder with the friends and family of Emmet Shiels.

By Eamonn Houston eamonn@derrynews.net

The stunned family of the young Derry man stood at the spot where the pizza delivery man spent the last moments of his life on Tuesday.

Residents of  Bligh’s Gardens where the brutal murder took place on Tuesday bowed their heads to pay tribute to Emmet Shiels. Their peace had been shattered by the sound of gunfire blasts a matter of hours earlier and news that a young man had been shot just outside their homes.

The resounding message to republican dissidents from those gathered at Tuesday’s vigil was that they are not wanted.

Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, said that the killing was ‘unacceptable’ and that the perpetrators had ‘no place in the community’.

In a massive show of solidarity with the family, ordinary people were joined by the Mayor of Derry, Gerard Diver, Foyle MP Mark Durkan and political representatives from every shade of nationalism in the city. Conal McFeely of the Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership spoke of the shock of the community.

There were harrowing scenes as Patsy Moore, the adopted father of Emmet Shiels wept at the spot where he was shot.

Earlier in the day, the family had issued a statement just hours after they learnt of the tragedy.

“…we are a family in mourning, we are in deep sorrow over the loss of Emmett. This is a terrible tragedy which has been visited upon our family and we are finding it difficult to come to terms with his murder.

“We are heartened by the great support of our friends and neighbours. We want to acknowledge the great care and professionalism of those in the medical profession who attended our Emmett at the scene and in Altnagelvin Hospital. We also want to thank the people of Creggan who were there to comfort Emmett as he awaited the paramedics arriving at the scene.”

 The family statement went on to describe Emmet’s death as futile.

“This was not a case of mistaken identity but a deliberate act and we are calling on anyone with any information to bring it forward so that those who carried this out this murder are held responsible.”

One resident of Bligh’s Gardens told the Derry News: “This is just horrific, a terrible thing. The people just don’t want this. This is just heartbreaking.”