Aontú: Shame on Sinn Féin for slighting survivors of violence and delaying their pension

Sinn Féin have continuously and incessantly worked to stonewall the payment of pensions to survivors of the Troubles.

Last week, SF’s Martina Anderson said that £800 million for pensions would be going to agents of British collusion and those who fought the Brits’ dirty war — meaning that anyone who needs the pension, either colluded with the British during the Troubles or helped fight the Brits’ dirty war.

What a disgusting statement, but sadly SF have shown form in this regard.

An issue I and thousands of others have campaigned for is that eligibility for pension payments would be extended to those suffering from psychological injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Our campaign was successful, but now Sinn Féin have been stonewalling the payment of pensions at least partially on this issue.

Sinn Féin also refused nominate the Justice Department to administer the pension’s scheme — where the cost is to be borne by the Northern executive.

A Belfast High Court judge ruled that this refusal violated the ‘clear, unqualified and unconditional’ obligation they are under to designate a department to progress and administrate the scheme.

This was to be done by establishing a victims’ payment board by the May 29.

It is now practically September without any groundwork having been done.

SF have slighted the survivors of the violence of the Troubles, have compared them to agents of British collusion, have told PTSD victims they should not be eligible, and violated their legal duty to provide for pensions for these survivors.

They are playing politics with the lives and suffering of survivors — Shame on Them.

Denise Mullen, Aontú councillor, Mid Ulster District Council

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