Victim tells MPs of suicide effort after IRA bomb

Joe Holbeach was speaking at a symposium for survivors of terrorism held in Parliament in the run up to European Day for Victims of Terrorism on March 11.

Many of those who spoke had seen their lives ripped apart by bombs using Semtex supplied by then-Libyan president Col Gaddafi to the IRA. 

“I’m very sad as I feel the other victims of terror in Europe have been acknowledged by their governments whilst those in the UK and Ireland have been treated like rubbish,” Mr Holbeach said.

“Other countries forced Gaddafi to compensate their victims who were left severely disabled by his actions and involvement in terror.

“Many victims in Northern Ireland and GB have taken their own lives and I have attempted to take my own life, in desperation due to their lack of care and concern by my own government.”

In 2017 MPs on the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee issued a scathing report, accusing successive governments of failing to press Libya to compensate its UK victims. It recommended the government actively campaign for compensation – however, the government rejected the MPs’ report.

A string of other victims were also scathing of the government’s record yesterday.

The event was hosted by the DUP Parliamentary party. Its leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, said Parliament can still take action which would have “a transformative impact for many victims who suffer in silence”.

A Foreign Office spokesman responded that it has appointed William Shawcross to investigate the extent of the victims’ claim on Libya. “We are committed to supporting the victims and continue to believe that the Libyan government has a responsibility to address this matter,” he added.

Meanwhile, TUV leader Jim Allister says that despite his requests, the Assembly Commission has decided it will not illuminate Parliament Buildings at Stormont tonight to mark the annual Memorial Day for Victims of Terrorism.