Claremont sentencing: Ciara Glennon’s father Denis addresses Bradley Robert Edwards’ historic jail term

The father of murdered Claremont victim Ciara Glennon has delivered an emotional and dignified statement this morning saying he and his family do not harbour feelings of revenge for Bradley Robert Edwards and believe his sentence was “appropriate and just”.

In an emotional speech delivered a day after Bradley Robert Edwards was jailed for at least 40 years, Denis Glennon explained the sentencing yesterday ended one of the “darkest chapters” in not only his life but that of WA.

He said he, his wife, Una and daughter Denise were now hoping to grieve in private but dismissed the notion that Edwards’s imprisonment would bring closure, describing the concept as “nonsensical”.

“Our lives are now divided into two distinct parts — one with Ciara and one without,” Mr Glennon said during a press conference at WA Police Headquarters today.

“There will always be an empty chair at the table, especially birthdays, anniversaries and times of celebrations just as now Christmas.”

He also sought to answer some of the questions he had received from media organisations over the past few years, saying the process had been emotionally draining but felt they had fulfilled the promise he had made to Ciara - to find the person responsible for her murder.

But he said the family would not be taking part in any articles or programs saying they don’t want to waste any “further time expressing our views on that perverse pre-mediative murderer who with ruthless determination sought out and abducted young women to rape and kill simply for his gratification”.

“We don’t want to spend any more time with that as a family. Instead we wish to use the time to remember Ciara in quiet space and to draw strength and appreciation of the gift of her short life,” he said.

“We would dearly love Ciara back with us but that is not possible. We are at peace with where we find ourselves. We will continue to try and walk with as much dignity as we can be in this situation. There is no feeling of revenge.

“It is unnatural for a parent to bury a child. To have Ciara killed in the prime of her life was and is our worst nightmare... the suffering is indescribable.

Mr Glennon said he also took offence to financial offers made in exchange for their story.

“To accept money in exchange for reliving or telling how Ciara died or laying bare out personal journey of agony... it would be affront to Ciara and all that she was as a person and all that she stood for. And I find these approaches as offensive, and I don’t even answer them anymore.”

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He added: “Ciara’s private life is just that, private. And it is to remain private. Our memories of Ciara are precious, and sacred. Intimate details of her murder and how bravely she fought to save herself were revealed in depth in the trial.

“There is no need for us, to believe , to augment these details. It’s too hard.”

Mr Glennon also used the opportunity to pay tribute to Edwards’ living victims, who both delivered gut-wrenching victim impact statements to the court yesterday.

“The extraordinary courage and memorable impact statements delivered yesterday will be forever remembered. We witnessed two very brave ladies.”