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Remembering Helen McCourt
A church service was held at St Mary's RC Church, Billinge, followed by family and friends lighting paper lanterns to mark the 25th Anniversary since Helen McCourt's murder
CHINESE lanterns were released into the evening sky at a special memorial service for murder victim Helen McCourt.
A mass had just been said at Birchley St Mary’s RC Church to mark the 25th anniversary of the young Billinge woman’s disappearance.
The 22-year-old’s killer, pub landlord Ian Simms, remains in prison for the crime, but Helen’s body has yet to be found.
Her mum Marie McCourt was among more than 250 people who poured into the church for the service which was followed by an invitation-only event at the nearby church hall.
There Helen’s life was further celebrated through the music of her lifetime and a family album slide show.
Mrs McCourt said: “It was a lovely event and I was delighted that so many people came along to pay their tributes and show their support.”
She also said the large attendance signalled to the Parole Board, which will soon once again be considering an application for Simms to be downgraded to a lower category prison, that the public was still well aware that a great injustice had yet to be righted.
She said: “So long as Simms refuses to say where my daughter’s remains are he should have no chance of being released.”
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Weather for Wigan
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 4 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
