Terrorists left legacy of trauma

As a councillor who grew up in a border area, I have no issue with the government investing in legacy issues as we consider the facts.

Fermanagh and South Tyrone saw some 203 deaths, 178 carried out by republicans.

The need for investment as a result of this legacy is plain to be seen. As a result of this murder campaign we had people suffering significant trauma, social segregation and moving from their traditional home.

Northern Ireland saw some 2,100 people murdered by republicans. Somewhere in the region of 90% of people who died in the Troubles were killed by terrorists leaving a legacy of heartbreak and brokenness up and down the country.

The legacy of trauma, mental illness, alcohol abuse can in many instances be attributed to the terror campaign not to mention the very high instance of suicide in the country.

This legacy of suffering should be invested in and among other things the investment in a trauma centre and increased resources in mental health services.

This to me would be in respect and justice to the people of Northern Ireland.

Raymond Farrell, DUP councillor, Fermanagh