This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7952556.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Home town mourns Neeson's wife | Home town mourns Neeson's wife |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| A medical examiner in New York has said the actress Natasha Richardson died following an accidental blunt impact to the head while skiing. | |
| Prayers have been said in County Antrim for the family of Richardson, the wife of Ballymena-born Liam Neeson. | |
| Richardson, 45, suffered head injuries after a fall at a ski resort in Quebec on Monday. She died on Wednesday. | Richardson, 45, suffered head injuries after a fall at a ski resort in Quebec on Monday. She died on Wednesday. |
| Many of Neeson's relatives, including his mother, Kitty, still live in the Ballymena area. | |
| Prayers were said during Mass at All Saints Church on Wednesday. | |
| Politicians in the area have expressed their sympathy to Neeson, who was at his wife's bedside when she died. | Politicians in the area have expressed their sympathy to Neeson, who was at his wife's bedside when she died. |
| North Antrim MP Ian Paisley, DUP, said it was a "terrible, unplanned and tragic loss." | North Antrim MP Ian Paisley, DUP, said it was a "terrible, unplanned and tragic loss." |
| "To Liam and his two boys I express my sadness and prayers for them for the loss of their wife and mother," he said. | "To Liam and his two boys I express my sadness and prayers for them for the loss of their wife and mother," he said. |
| "And to Liam's mother in Ballymena who has lost her daughter-in-law I too extend my prayerful sympathy at this time." | "And to Liam's mother in Ballymena who has lost her daughter-in-law I too extend my prayerful sympathy at this time." |
| North Antrim MLA Declan O'Loan of the SDLP said: "There is immense pride here in the achievements of Liam Neeson as an internationally known actor and one of great distinction. | North Antrim MLA Declan O'Loan of the SDLP said: "There is immense pride here in the achievements of Liam Neeson as an internationally known actor and one of great distinction. |
| "His large family circle in Ballymena and the surrounding area are very well known and highly respected. We are all thinking of them at this time of sadness." | "His large family circle in Ballymena and the surrounding area are very well known and highly respected. We are all thinking of them at this time of sadness." |
| North Antrim MLA Robert Coulter of the UUP said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Liam and his two sons at this time of loss. | |
| "We are very proud of Liam and of the way he never forgets his home and we feel keenly for him and his loss." | |
| 'Terrible tragedy' | 'Terrible tragedy' |
| The first and deputy first ministers have also offered their "sincere condolences" to Neeson and his family. | The first and deputy first ministers have also offered their "sincere condolences" to Neeson and his family. |
| Martin McGuinness attended an event in New York on Sunday along with Natasha's mother, actress Vanessa Redgrave. | Martin McGuinness attended an event in New York on Sunday along with Natasha's mother, actress Vanessa Redgrave. |
| "It is such a tragedy for two young boys to lose their mother so suddenly. We are all thinking of them and praying for them at this deeply distressing time," he said. | "It is such a tragedy for two young boys to lose their mother so suddenly. We are all thinking of them and praying for them at this deeply distressing time," he said. |
| Liam Neeson is the patron of the Lyric Theatre in Belfast. | Liam Neeson is the patron of the Lyric Theatre in Belfast. |
| Its artistic director, Richard Croxford, said the death was a tragedy. | Its artistic director, Richard Croxford, said the death was a tragedy. |
| "Everyone at the Lyric is deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible tragedy," he said. | "Everyone at the Lyric is deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible tragedy," he said. |
| "Our thoughts and prayers are with Liam and his family at this difficult time." | "Our thoughts and prayers are with Liam and his family at this difficult time." |
| Local tributes have been paid to Natasha Richardson | Local tributes have been paid to Natasha Richardson |
| Part of the Redgrave acting dynasty, Richardson was the daughter of Vanessa and director Tony Richardson, and the sister of Nip/Tuck star Joely Richardson. | Part of the Redgrave acting dynasty, Richardson was the daughter of Vanessa and director Tony Richardson, and the sister of Nip/Tuck star Joely Richardson. |
| Neeson and Richardson married in 1994 and had two sons Michael, 13, and Daniel, 12. | Neeson and Richardson married in 1994 and had two sons Michael, 13, and Daniel, 12. |
| The accident happened while the actress was taking a supervised skiing lesson at a Quebec resort. | The accident happened while the actress was taking a supervised skiing lesson at a Quebec resort. |
| Richardson initially showed no sign of injury but about an hour later she was taken to a nearby hospital after feeling unwell. It was later confirmed her injuries were critical. | Richardson initially showed no sign of injury but about an hour later she was taken to a nearby hospital after feeling unwell. It was later confirmed her injuries were critical. |
| Neeson, 56, flew from the set of his new film in Toronto to be with his wife as soon as he heard news of the accident. | Neeson, 56, flew from the set of his new film in Toronto to be with his wife as soon as he heard news of the accident. |
| Alan Nierob, Neeson's publicist, said: "Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha. | Alan Nierob, Neeson's publicist, said: "Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha. |
| "They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time." | "They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time." |