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Newsreader Mark Austin with Peter Lachanudis
and Susan Porter
by MARY MAGEE
SAINTFIELD woman Susan Porter has been
honoured for her bravery when the notorious loyalist murderer
Michael Stone attempted to enter Stormont last year with what
appeared to be a gun.
She, along with doorkeeper Peter Lachanudis,
stopped Stone from entering the building during a crucial
meeting about forming a power-sharing executive last November.
Both were honoured in the Pride of Britain Awards in front of
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and a host of celebrities last
Tuesday night.
Susan received a Special Recognition Award in
the Daily Mirror Awards just months after being awarded a
national Outstanding Act Award in the British Security Industry
Association's Annual Security Officer Awards, 2007.
Stone, who was brandishing a fake pistol and
a rucksack, was arrested and later charged with five counts of
attempted murder.
Speaking about her experience, Susan said: "I
saw a man walking towards the building with a big bag. I thought
he must be a photographer but when he got closer I saw his eyes
and recognised him instantly.
Peter, who noticed what was going on also
leapt into action. He managed to restrain Stone in an arm lock
while Susan grabbed a gun, which turned out to be a fake.
Other door keepers helped the pair wrestle
Stone to the ground.
Susan, who previously worked as a policewoman
for 22 years, tied Stone's shoelaces together to prevent him
escaping.
That night she simply went home to bed as if
nothing had happened. She said: "I didn't think anything of it.
I was just doing my job. Looking back I was in a state of
shock."
Speaking about that day her employer Brendan
Flynn of Federal Security Services in Lisburn said praised the
actions of his colleagues. He said :"When faced with a very
difficult situation, Susan acted quickly and decisively putting
the safety of her team and the public before her own. She is
remarkable individual who went beyond the call of duty.
"She was a bit embarrassed about the
attention she got following the event and wondered what all the
fuss was about. But we are all very proud of her and it is an
honour to work with her.
mary.magee@jpress.co.uk
Ulster Star
19/10/2007
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