Arrival of dead security expert’s baby eases fiancee’s pain

Oct 15, 2009 Uncategorized

This is one of those stories that is both heartening and sad at the same time.  The tragedy of Paul McGuigan’s unnecessary death is tough to take for everyone and knowing that his daughter will never know her dad is very sobering.  On the other hand it appears that mom and baby are healthy and coping as best they can.  I wish them the best.  -Jake-

By Cordelia O’Neill

The fiancee of a security contractor who was shot dead in Baghdad spoke yesterday of her joy and sadness after she gave birth to the couple’s first child on the day he was due to return home for good.

Paul McGuigan, a former Royal Marine Commando, died in the Iraqi capital’s fortified Green Zone in August with Australian colleague Darren Hoare.

The 37-year-old was caught up in an attack in the city’s International Zone.

A British national, Danny Fitzsimmons, has been charged with the murder of both men and is being held in custody in Baghdad.

Mr McGuigan’s fiancee, Nicci Prestage, gave birth to the couple’s daughter four weeks early, on October 4 – the same day he would have returned permanently to the UK.

Ms Prestage, 36, who lives in Manchester, said her baby, who weighed 5lb, was “the image of her father”.

“She is gorgeous,” she said. “I still can’t believe that Paul is never going to see her.

“The last few months have been an emotional rollercoaster.”

She added: “I know I have to face up to life without him but it is so very hard to. We were looking forward to being together as a family and bringing up our baby together.”

Mr McGuigan, 37, originally came from Peebles in the Borders but left in 1990 when he joined the Royal Marines.

He started working for the security company ArmorGroup Iraq in 2003, and became a personal security detail team leader. It is understood that his father, who now lives in Ireland, and his mother, Corinne, who ran a travel agency and has moved away from the area, have also seen their granddaughter.

A spokesman for the family said: “Paul’s family have met their granddaughter – a very moving experience, especially as baby looks so like their son.”