Ann Travers has called on Ceann Comhairle Catherine Connolly to encourage a woman convicted of murdering her sister to meet the family and the PSNI.

Travers, whose sister Mary Travers was shot dead in south Belfast in 1984, said she was distressed to see a photograph last Thursday of Connolly standing beside Mary McArdle in a group image.

Mary Travers, a 23-year-old teacher, was killed on 8 April 1984 as she walked home from Mass with her parents on Windsor Avenue. Two Provisional IRA gunmen approached the family. One gunman shot Mary Travers in the back, killing her, and the other fired six bullets into her father, Tom Travers, a Catholic resident magistrate who survived. Her mother, Joan Travers, was knocked to the ground but escaped injury when the gun aimed at her head jammed twice.

McArdle, then 19, was convicted of Mary Travers’s murder, attempted murder, wounding with intent and firearms offences. She received a life sentence and was released after 14 years under the terms of the Belfast Agreement. She is now a director of the Falls Road Women’s Centre in west Belfast.

Travers said the Historical Enquiries Team asked McArdle to assist its investigation into the murder but she declined. Travers has also asked to meet McArdle and says she has been ignored.

After seeing the photograph, Travers wrote to the Ceann Comhairle’s office. A reply offered condolences and said the letter would be brought to Connolly’s attention.

Travers now wants Connolly to encourage McArdle to meet with her and PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher. She said the family still seeks answers about the attack and the identity of the gunmen, who were never brought to justice.