Downpatrick Lions Club in Victim Support NI donation

16 April 2025

DOWNPATRICK Lions Club were pleased to donate £570 to Victim Support NI this week.

The money was raised by the Lions at a quiz night held in the town and will be used to benefit victims and witnesses of crime in the Downpatrick area.

Karen Henry is the Witness Service co-ordinator in Downpatrick Courthouse.

She said: “The Witness Service supports prosecution victims and witnesses at court. Our staff and volunteers are on hand to provide practical support and information to witnesses attending court.

“It can be a stressful time for someone waiting to give evidence in a case, so we aim to reduce stress as much as possible.

“We provide a safe place to wait which is separate from the main waiting area – this means that witnesses don’t have to wait in the same area as the offender and their supporters.

“Our staff and volunteers can escort witnesses around the building, answer their questions, explain court processes and jargon and liaise with court officials. We can even accompany witnesses into court or sit with them in the live link room so they have someone there for support. “

Karen continued: “Witnesses often tell us that they couldn’t have gone through the experience of giving evidence in a case without our help.

“This money will be invested back into our services for victims and witnesses, and will go towards making our waiting rooms more welcoming and comfortable for witnesses. We’re really grateful to the Downpatrick Lions for choosing our charity to receive this money.”

Some Victim Support NI history was brought to light as a result of this donation. Mark Johnston is current president of Downpatrick Lions Club and his son, George, is in line to take over the role this summer.

Mark’s late father, Alfie, was president of Downpatrick Lions in 1995 and is the link between the Johnston family and Victim Support NI.

Alfie was a chair of the Downpatrick Victim Support scheme in the early ‘90s and was also chair of the Victim Support Northern Ireland Board of Directors in 1994/5.

Alfie was a campaigner for the introduction of a witness service to the courts and thanks to his passion, Downpatrick became the first court to establish a support service for witnesses in 1994.

After his death, Alfie was memorialised with a plaque, presented to the courthouse in 1999, which lists his involvement with Victim Support NI and his work to establish the witness service. The Witness Service is now available in every criminal court in Northern Ireland.

Over 30 years later, Alfie’s son and grandson and the rest of the Downpatrick Lions have made a significant contribution to the work of the Witness Service through this donation.

Victim Support NI relies on volunteers to help them deliver their support throughout Northern Ireland and currently needs to recruit new volunteers to help the Witness Service in Downpatrick.

If you feel you could spare the time to help in court, please contact volunteer@victimsupportni.org.uk or visit the ‘Get Involved’ section of the Victim Support NI website www.victimsupportni.com to find out more and apply online.

Victim Support NI supports people affected by crime. Their services are free and confidential and are available whether or not you have reported the crime to police and no matter how long ago the crime occurred. If you would like to access their support, please call 028 9024 3133 or visit www.victimsupportni.com for more information.

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