The following is the text of a victim impact statement read to the court today by the father of Swiss student Manuela Riedo as Gerald Barry was convicted of her murder in Galway on October 8th 2007:
“We can’t really put into words what the death of our beloved daughter Manuela has taken away from us. You have robbed Manuela of sixty to seventy years of her life and taken the future away from us, her parents. I will never lead my daughter as a bride to the altar and my wife will never knit baby clothes for a grandchild, and we won’t have anyone to look after us when we are old.
"When Manuela was born on November 5th, 1989, a new challenge began for us as her parents. We were able then to give this tiny, helpless, beautiful child everything that parents should give: love, friendship, honesty, warmth, security and much more.
"We were able to watch Manuela grow up from a little baby to a unique, wonderful person. With her special manner she was loved and respected by everyone. She was a good friend, a good student, she was our pride and joy; and we were so happy to have such a daughter. These wonderful memories are all that is left for us.
"Manuela knew exactly what she wanted to do in the future. She had big career plans. She wanted to go to the US and attend a language school and then attend a hotel management school in Switzerland. Her dream was to become a tour guide so as to get to know different countries, culture and people in her life.
"Already in her childhood she would approach other people and she was especially open to people with problems. During her school years, for example, there was a physically handicapped girl in her class. Manuela was the only one in the class who always included that girl in all her activities. She didn’t have any fears of contact with others. As an only child she was able to share with others from an early age. Sometimes she shared so much of what she had with others that she ended up herself with nothing. But it was more important for her to make others happy.
“Already at the age of fourteen it was clear to her that when she began to earn her own money, she would support a foster child through World Vision. In the time shortly before her death, she wrote a paper for the vocational school she was attending about a project in Nicaragua. One week before her trip to Ireland, she was able to complete that project and she was proud to be able to hand it in. She had worked for hours on that project, because it had always been important to her to do everything well and as perfectly as possible. After her death, her teacher told us that she had received a very good mark on her project.
“Manuela was the centre of our life and our sunshine. We are proud of her. She was always a polite, courteous, attentive and cheerful girl who was loved by everyone. There are no words to describe adequately her wonderful character and disposition.
You should have known her. Then it would be clear to you immediately what we mean. Anyone who knew her could not easily forget her. She was loved by her fellow students, both boys and girls, and had a special place in the hearts of many people.
“Manuela was crazy about dancing. She was in a dance group for hip-hop and jazz. Her teacher told us that Manuela always brought a cheerful and buoyant atmosphere with her to the dance studio and that everyone felt better when she was there. When she wasn’t there she was missed by everyone. Now she will be missed by everyone forever.
“We always looked out for Manuela very carefully. As her father, I often drove her out with the car at night to pick her up so that she would arrive safely back home. No way was too long for me to bring her back.
“We have lost our angel, but we have gotten to know many fine people now. Manuela loved angels and we have brought three angels with us:
Angel 1: Not seeing anything.
Angel 2: Not hearing anything.
Angel 3: Not saying anything.
“Here in Dublin we have seen and heard the other side. People have told us everything that we wanted to know. So now Manuela’s soul can finally rest in peace and we can let our angel fly to God, our Lord in Heaven. Manuela, rest in peace.
You will remain forever in our hearts.”