Terrorists have more say on legacy policy than victims of the IRA

A letter from Rev Alan Irwin:
By Alan Irwin
Published 18th Jul 2021, 13:52 BST
Updated 18th Jul 2021, 14:13 BST
Rev Alan Irwin with a picture of his murdered father ThomasRev Alan Irwin with a picture of his murdered father Thomas
Rev Alan Irwin with a picture of his murdered father Thomas

The revelation that terrorists or at the very least their ‘spokespersons’ were consulted around the proposed statute of limitations by the government, is repulsive.

It appears that the perpetrators of violence have more credibility than their victims, the innocents who live with the trauma and pain of grief and injury.

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I believe it raises a far more sinister element in matters of legacy, in dealing with our violent past, who are the real policy makers? Is it the government or is it the unrepentant terrorist and their quasi representatives?

Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor

It may answer many questions as to why innocent victims are overlooked, why there is a policy of aggression towards the state and why there is little or no action towards those who carried out most murders.

Is this the legacy inherited from 1998? Therefore, prime minister, secretary of state, the Northern Ireland Office, who is responsible for policy making around legacy?

The proposal now on the table is certainly not justice centred, nor is it victim/survivor centred, it is centred upon the further appeasement of terrorism. The outworking is the effective sponsored rewrite of ‘The Past’ by the state.

Stop whilst you still can...

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Brothers murdered by the IRA: Thomas Irwin, and Frederick Irwin. Thomas was the father of Rev Alan Irwin, Frederick was uncleBrothers murdered by the IRA: Thomas Irwin, and Frederick Irwin. Thomas was the father of Rev Alan Irwin, Frederick was uncle
Brothers murdered by the IRA: Thomas Irwin, and Frederick Irwin. Thomas was the father of Rev Alan Irwin, Frederick was uncle

Alan Irwin, (whose father Thomas Irwin, pictured above left, and uncle Frederick Irwin, above right, were murdered by IRA) Lack, Fermanagh

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Related topics:IRABen LowryFermanagh