THE FATHER of a teenager killed when the IRA blew up Lord Mountbatten’s boat said the royal visit is a recognition the Troubles caused hurt on both sides.
Paul Maxwell (15) died along with Lord Mountbatten (79), Mountbatten’s 10-year-old nephew Nicholas Knatchbull and the Dowager Lady Brabourne (82) when the IRA blew up the Shadow V in Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, on August 27th, 1979. Paul was the boat-boy on Mountbatten’s boat.
Since then his father John Maxwell has devoted himself to improving cross-Border relations. He was involved in setting up Erne Integrated Primary School in Co Fermanagh. Mr Maxwell welcomed the visit of the Queen as a “very optimistic thing” and something he thought would never happen.
