East Lancashire woman who lost leg in blast: I forgive IRA bombers (From Lancashire Telegraph)

East Lancashire woman who lost leg in blast: I forgive IRA bombers

5:35pm Monday 1st March 2010 in

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AN EAST Lancashire woman has forgiven the IRA bombers who blew her leg off almost 20 years ago.

Sue Hanisch suffered post-traumatic stress disorder for a decade after attack at Victoria Station, London in 1991.

The 51-year-old said she had 'absolutely' forgiven the perpetrators, and had met former IRA bombers as part of her work with a peace project.

She said: “You have to have to accept what has happened to you, and there’s nothing you can do to change it.

“I would say that none of use have chosen our paths, and I can understand the men in West Belfast, having the background they have had, needed to do something dramatic to get people to listen to them.

“I can never condone the action they have taken but I don’t believe any of us choose to be violent, it is what happens when we are not at peace with ourselves.”

Ms Hanisch was born in Whalley and brought up in Mellor, before going to school at Roe Lee then Clitheroe Grammar. She now lives near Kendal.

She was back in Blackburn at the weekend because her story features in an exhibition at the Cathedral looking at forgiveness.

The display, called the F Word, contains personal accounts from people whose lives have been affected by murder, genocide and terrorism and how they have to terms with what happened.

Canon Chris Chivers, one of the organisers, said it had been a 'privilege' to be visited by Ms Hanisch.

He said: “Her humour and resilience are characteristic of so many people who have overcome terrible suffering and learnt to forgive.”