Menu
27/01/2009
Eames-Bradley Proposals Slammed
As the official publication of a widely leaked report on how NI should tackle the legacy of The Troubles looms today, an Ulster Unionist Assembly member and former terrorist victim, has condemned proposals by Robin Eames and Denis Bradley's 'Consultative Group on the Past' that the family of each and every victim of the Troubles should receive a payment of £12,000 from the Government, regardless of circumstances or 'guilt'.
Mid-Ulster MLA Billy Armstrong, a former RUC Reservist who was wounded on duty in March 1976 said yesterday: "I cannot believe that Dr Robin Eames believes that terrorist and their families who supported the destruction of British security services deserve recognition.
"I know that their tears are the same, it is the loss of a loved one, but the difference is the police and the Army were protecting lives, and all terrorist groups were out to kill destroy and wipe-out all those protecting the law abiding people of Northern Ireland.
"This is an absolutely crazy recommendation and it is nothing less than a gratuitous insult to victims and will be condemned by anyone with a sense of right and wrong," he said.
Alliance party Leader David Ford also commented on the issue and said that "the outrage rightly felt at plans for a £12,000 payment to all victims of the Troubles", on its own, "could sink the report" which took 18 months of consultation across the Province to formulate.
"Many will feel that the £12,000 payout plan has damaged the consultative group's report beyond repair.
"Rather than comforting victims news of this payment has outraged many. You simply cannot put a price on justice. I notice that opposition to this proposal has come from all sections of the community including relations of police officers and of IRA members," he said.
"It is being said that there should be no hierarchy of victims. In fact, there is no hierarchy of suffering, but there is a hierarchy of circumstance," he said.
Stormont Junior Minister, DUP MP, Jeffrey Donaldson - himself a former UDR soldier - commented: "It would be wrong to go into detail before the report is officially published," but explained that a number of issues are causing serious concern.
"As things stand there is no chance of this report getting off the ground in terms of being implemented."
The report includes the £40 million deal to compensate the next of kin of anyone killed as a result of the Troubles - civilians, security force members or terrorist killer.
This proposal to equate a paramilitary murderer with an innocent victim or police or Army officer has sparked the greatest controversy - even before official publication.
See: Troubles Legacy Group Tackles Victims' Compensation
(BMcC/JM)
Mid-Ulster MLA Billy Armstrong, a former RUC Reservist who was wounded on duty in March 1976 said yesterday: "I cannot believe that Dr Robin Eames believes that terrorist and their families who supported the destruction of British security services deserve recognition.
"I know that their tears are the same, it is the loss of a loved one, but the difference is the police and the Army were protecting lives, and all terrorist groups were out to kill destroy and wipe-out all those protecting the law abiding people of Northern Ireland.
"This is an absolutely crazy recommendation and it is nothing less than a gratuitous insult to victims and will be condemned by anyone with a sense of right and wrong," he said.
Alliance party Leader David Ford also commented on the issue and said that "the outrage rightly felt at plans for a £12,000 payment to all victims of the Troubles", on its own, "could sink the report" which took 18 months of consultation across the Province to formulate.
"Many will feel that the £12,000 payout plan has damaged the consultative group's report beyond repair.
"Rather than comforting victims news of this payment has outraged many. You simply cannot put a price on justice. I notice that opposition to this proposal has come from all sections of the community including relations of police officers and of IRA members," he said.
"It is being said that there should be no hierarchy of victims. In fact, there is no hierarchy of suffering, but there is a hierarchy of circumstance," he said.
Stormont Junior Minister, DUP MP, Jeffrey Donaldson - himself a former UDR soldier - commented: "It would be wrong to go into detail before the report is officially published," but explained that a number of issues are causing serious concern.
"As things stand there is no chance of this report getting off the ground in terms of being implemented."
The report includes the £40 million deal to compensate the next of kin of anyone killed as a result of the Troubles - civilians, security force members or terrorist killer.
This proposal to equate a paramilitary murderer with an innocent victim or police or Army officer has sparked the greatest controversy - even before official publication.
See: Troubles Legacy Group Tackles Victims' Compensation
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 January 2016
North Belfast Murder Victim Conor McKee Shot A Number Of Times
31-year-old north Belfast murder victim Conor McKee was shot a number of times, police have revealed. Mr McKee was found dead by his mother at his Glenpark Street home last Thursday night. Two men arrested over the murder have been released on bail.
North Belfast Murder Victim Conor McKee Shot A Number Of Times
31-year-old north Belfast murder victim Conor McKee was shot a number of times, police have revealed. Mr McKee was found dead by his mother at his Glenpark Street home last Thursday night. Two men arrested over the murder have been released on bail.
06 January 2004
Portadown car crash victim named
The woman killed in a road accident near Portadown in Co Armagh yesterday has been named as Ellen McDowell, 32, from Castlewellan Road, Banbridge. The woman was killed when the car she was in was in collision with a lorry at around 12 pm on Monday. Three other people were hurt in the collision.
Portadown car crash victim named
The woman killed in a road accident near Portadown in Co Armagh yesterday has been named as Ellen McDowell, 32, from Castlewellan Road, Banbridge. The woman was killed when the car she was in was in collision with a lorry at around 12 pm on Monday. Three other people were hurt in the collision.
10 October 2018
Call For Victim Compensation Of The Troubles To Be Prioritised
Former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Hain has called for victim compensation to be prioritised over investigations into Troubles deaths. The call comes as the current Secretary of State Karen Bradley is considering a £150 million strategy for legacy investigations.
Call For Victim Compensation Of The Troubles To Be Prioritised
Former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Hain has called for victim compensation to be prioritised over investigations into Troubles deaths. The call comes as the current Secretary of State Karen Bradley is considering a £150 million strategy for legacy investigations.
14 July 2021
UK Govt To Ban All Prosecutions Related To The Troubles
Boris Johnson has said that the UK government will bring forward legislation to ban all prosecutions related to the Troubles in an effort to "draw a line under the Troubles". According to the government a statute of limitations will be introduced "to apply equally to all Troubles-related incidents".
UK Govt To Ban All Prosecutions Related To The Troubles
Boris Johnson has said that the UK government will bring forward legislation to ban all prosecutions related to the Troubles in an effort to "draw a line under the Troubles". According to the government a statute of limitations will be introduced "to apply equally to all Troubles-related incidents".
22 November 2024
Alliance 'Deeply Concerned' Over Pace Of HIA Redress Scheme
The Alliance Party has raised concerns over the rate of progress on the redress scheme for Historical Institutional Abuse of children. The party's Executive Office spokesperson, Paula Bradshaw MLA, has called on the First and deputy First Minister (FMdFM) must meet victims and survivors urgently over memorialisation and other issues.
Alliance 'Deeply Concerned' Over Pace Of HIA Redress Scheme
The Alliance Party has raised concerns over the rate of progress on the redress scheme for Historical Institutional Abuse of children. The party's Executive Office spokesperson, Paula Bradshaw MLA, has called on the First and deputy First Minister (FMdFM) must meet victims and survivors urgently over memorialisation and other issues.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
