Posted on June 7, 2017

‘Shocked’ Families of London Bridge Terrorists Speak Out

Helena Horton, Telegraph, June 7, 2017

The “shocked” families of two of the London terror attackers have spoken out and condemned their relatives’ actions.

Charisse O’Leary, the Irish ex-partner of Rachid Redouane and mother to their daughter, said she has been left “saddened” by the attack and has shed “many tears” for the victims.

Charisse O'Leary and Rachid Redouane

Charisse O’Leary and Rachid Redouane

The family of Khuram Butt also have condemned the attack saying they are “shocked and appalled” by his actions.

In a statement, Miss O’Leary said: “My heartfelt thoughts go out to all those murdered or injured in the events of 3rd June 2017.

“I am deeply shocked, saddened and numbed by the actions of my ex- partner who has killed and injured so many innocent people.

“Since discovering that it was Rachid that was responsible I have shed many tears for the people caught up in this horrific incident.”

She continued: “Rachid and I have been separated for six months. We have a beautiful young daughter, that for the last six months has been our only bond and reason for contact.

“My thoughts and efforts now are with trying to bring up my daughter with the knowledge that someday I will have to try and explain to her why her father did what he did.

“I wish to make it absolutely clear, so there can be no doubt, I condemn his actions and do not support the beliefs he held that led to him committing this atrocity.”

In a separate statement, released later in the day, Butt’s family said: “As a family we are shocked and appalled by the actions of Khuram and his associates. We strongly condemn these actions.

“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families at this time.

“Now more than ever we need to work together to stop the actions of the mindless few who claim to be acting in the name of Islam.”

According to neighbours, Redouane, a Moroccan, visited his estranged wife hours before the attack so he could say goodbye to their daughter.

One resident told the Telegraph he had even stood next to the terrorist in a lift.

The man, who wished to remain anonymous, and who lives in the same apartment block as Redouane’s wife, said: “I was standing right next to him in that lift”.

“I’ve seen him four or five times, he’s come here often to see his daughter. He didn’t say a word, we just stood there silently until we got to his floor.

“It was only the next day when my mate told me about the attacks that I realised it was him. It’s scary you know. I don’t like the fact that my kids were living in the same block as this guy. He was there at 7pm.”

On social media Redouane’s wife, whose maiden name was O’Leary, had recently described herself as single and at one point said that her daughter’s father was not seeing their child.

It has emerged that Redouane was refused asylum to the UK in 2009, but he is believed to have remained in the country before going on to live in Ireland three years later.

Once there, he married Miss O’Leary and was granted a European Union residence card that allowed him to apply for a permit to remain in Britain when he left Ireland.

Irish authorities are reportedly investigating whether he used the arrangement as an effective back door into the UK.