Emma’s legacy of safety for Heywood drinkers

Emma’s partner Michael Shepherd with Inspector Steve Clarke and Emma’s mother Diane O’Kane

The partner of a Heywood woman who was killed in a glassing incident has created a lasting legacy for safety in her memory after succeeding in his campaign to introduce plastic glasses across the district.

Mother-of-three Emma O’Kane, 27, was tragically killed on 27 December 2008 at the Queen Anne public house in Heywood after a shard of glass from a broken bottle thrown into a crowded pub severed her jugular vein. Neil McNulty later pleaded guilty of her manslaughter.

Since her death, Emma’s partner Michael Shepherd has campaigned for polycarbonate glasses to be introduced to make nightspots safer. Now, with the three-year anniversary of Emma’s death just around the corner, the Heywood Pub and Clubwatch has proudly showed its support by unveiling hundreds of plastic glasses at the Heywood pub.

All 22 nightspots in the scheme have now committed to use the new glasses.

Each glassing incident currently costs the emergency services an average of £184,000, with ambulance and police attendance, hospital stays and plastic surgery helping to rack up the huge sum.

Inspector Steve Clarke, from Heywood Police, said: “When Michael came to talk to us earlier this year, we were all very moved by what he had to say.

“The tragic incident shows what can happen when glasses are used as a weapon. Three young children have lost their mother and Michael has been left without his partner.

“In light of this horrific attack, we were more than happy to support Michael’s worthwhile campaign.”

Michael said: “To have the support of all the Heywood Pub and Club Watch members means a lot, and the family and I would like to thank everyone so much for taking part in this initiative.”