'Uneasy feelings' as park reopens

By Brian Ponsonby
Glasgow and West reporter, BBC Scotland news website

Park rangers are tending the park after police ended their cordon

A mother pushing a pram. A cyclist passing through. A solitary jogger. Several people walking their dogs.

This was the scene in Queen's Park on Friday morning, hours after police investigating the murder of Moira Jones lifted their two-week cordon.

Usually this popular space would be bustling as the weekend approaches.

Instead a quiet hangs over the place, punctuated by the noise of park rangers tending the grounds after an intense forensic search by police.

Since 29 May, officers have fanned out from where the body of the 40-year-old sales consultant was found.

I'm glad it has re-opened but it makes you a bit wary of walking in the quiet parts Norma Rodden Local resident

She had been subjected to a "brutal attack" and had also been sexually assaulted.

The search had left nothing untouched.

Some of the tarmac pathways are strewn with leaves and branches, tell-tale signs of the search for a killer.

The wildlife goes about its business as usual, oblivious to the continued police presence and the tragic events which brought them there.

The same cannot be said for the people who use the Glasgow park, as they slowly start to return.

They are grateful to be back but still mindful that all is not well.

Robert McGowan from nearby Battlefield has returned to walk his dog and says it is "very nice" to be back.

But he admits that safety concerns will probably make many people uneasy.

Robert McGowan believes the park is unsafe at night

"Hopefully they'll catch someone soon but they don't seem to have any leads at the moment.

"Obviously during the day it is safe but nobody in their right mind would come into the park at night now," he said.

Mr McGowan said he felt safe but was sure that many woman would not.

Another dog walker, Norma Rodden, who lives in Shawlands, agreed.

"I'm glad it has re-opened but it makes you a bit wary of walking in the quiet parts," she said.

"There are a lot of wierdos about here now. I have been stopped before and asked for money.

"Quite frankly I wouldn't walk in here now without my dog."

Another visitor, who did not want to give his name, said he cut through the park regularly from his Govanhill home to do his shopping in Shawlands.

"It's sad what happened to that poor woman and I wish the police all the best to get whoever done that to her," he said.

"It is safe here I think the problem is just the way some human beings are. The devil gets into them and that's it."