Rosemary Nelson

Rosemary Nelson 40 years, Lurgan, County Armagh, a human rights lawyer, she was killed when a booby-trap bomb exploded under her car as she drove from her home on 15 March 1999. She was married with three children. The Red Hand Defenders, a cover name for number of unionist/loyalist paramilitary groupings, claimed they carried out the killing. 

Mrs Nelson was a highly efficient and respected lawyer who was involved in a number of high profile cases in the Lurgan area. Her ability to do her job resulted in her becoming a hate figure for the RUC Special Branch, who threatened her on a numerous occasions, and told some of her clients during interrogations that she was going to die. 

After the threats and other incidents Mrs Nelson complained to the RUC. She also told a United Nations inquiry in 1998 of the death threats. The United Nations special investigator Param Cumaraswamy, speaking after her death, said he had feared for her life.