THE PARENTS OF murdered Swiss teenager Manuela Riedo have said they do not feel justice has been done for their daughter’s death.
In an interview with TV3′s Ireland AM tomorrow, Hans Peter and Arlette Riedo will explain their heartache over Manuela’s murder in 2007, just days after she arrived in Galway as a student.
Her father said the 17-year-old’s life came to an abrupt end.
She had a big future ahead of her, she knew what she wanted and was working hard for it.”
Manuela was found dead in an area of wasteland close to the Lough Atalia area on October 8, 2007 – just three days after she arrived in the city. She died as a result of asphyxia and also had a number of injuries to her head.
Speaking about their daughter’s planned trip, the Swiss couple said there were not worried because they were all prepared.
“The school had an information evening and showed Galway as a safe place,” said Hans Peter. “This trip was sort of a trial and if these two weeks went well, she would have gone to San Diego for a year.”
Although Gerald Barry, now 32, is in prison serving a life sentence after being convicted of the murder, Hans Peter said justice has not been achieved.
“As long as he is in prison he cannot hurt anybody else but you can’t give justice to a life. She’s gone.”
Arlette added:
We will never forgive him…I’m not an evil person but, no, I could not forgive him. I’ve very angry and I just hope one day he has to go through this as well. To lose someone that you love and can’t replace but then I believe this man doesn’t have feelings.He is cold and doesn’t have a heart. I really want him to suffer but I just don’t know how.”
Throughout the emotional interview, Manuela’s parents discuss what they miss about their daughter, how they cope on her birthdays and the “empty space” they feel.
Hans Peter and Arlette are in Ireland as there are tributes to Manuela being held in Galway over the weekend to mark the fourth anniversary of her death.
The full interview with Sinéad Desmond will air on Ireland AM on Friday morning at 8.10am.
In honour of the anniversary of the passing of Manuela Riedo, there will be a balloon release at Ladies’ Beach in Salthill, Galway on Friday at 6pm. ‘A Night for Manuela’ concert will be held on Saturday in the Salthill Hotel. Artists performing include Frances Black, Niamh Kavanagh, Crystal Swing, Trad on the Prom and Don Stiffe. All proceeds will go to the Manuela Riedo Foundation, which raises money for sexual violence education.
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