Victim backs Peter Weir’s attempt to ban convicted terror appointees to Education Authority

A woman whose teacher sister was killed by the IRA as she came out of chapel has given her full support to moves by the education minister to ban convicted terrorists from holding positions on the Northern Ireland Education Authority.
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Ann Travers was speaking after Education Minister Peter Weir announced (in the News Letter, see link below) he would seek legislative changes on the situation after Sinn Fein recently appointed convicted IRA bomber Paul Kavanagh to the education body.

An 18-year-old youth and a widow were killed and almost 40 soldiers injured in the IRA bomb attack on Chelsea Barracks in 1981. Sinn Fein member Paul Kavanagh, wife of the party’s MLA Martina Anderson, was sentenced to five life terms for his part in the attack.

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Ms Travers’ sister Mary was a newly qualified teacher at Holy Child Primary School in Andersonstown when she was gunned down by the IRA as she came out of chapel in south Belfast in 1984.

Paul Kavanagh, right, with his wife Martina Anderson of Sinn Fein, at the European Election count at the King's Hall in Belfast in 2014Paul Kavanagh, right, with his wife Martina Anderson of Sinn Fein, at the European Election count at the King's Hall in Belfast in 2014
Paul Kavanagh, right, with his wife Martina Anderson of Sinn Fein, at the European Election count at the King's Hall in Belfast in 2014

Ms Travers was instrumental in introducing a law in 2013 which forbade anyone with serious convictions from being a ministerial special advisor at Stormont, after a woman convicted of involvement, Mary McCardle, was appointed to such a role.

The new law also saw Mr Kavanagh lose his position as Special Advisor to Martin McGuinness.

Now Ms Travers is giving her full backing to moves by Education Minister Peter Weir - outlined in the News Letter today - to ensure that the same standards that apply to ministerial Special Advisers should also apply to Education Authority appointees.

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Mr Weir said: “I take the recent political appointment of Mr Kavanagh by Sinn Fein as an extremely serious matter. There is no doubt in my mind that his nomination to the EA Board will not only reignite the pain caused by this man on his victims and their families but also a wide range of victim’s groups in Northern Ireland have unambiguously voiced their real concerns regarding this matter.”

Ann Travers, sister of Mary Travers, pictured at Stormont. Photo: Press EyeAnn Travers, sister of Mary Travers, pictured at Stormont. Photo: Press Eye
Ann Travers, sister of Mary Travers, pictured at Stormont. Photo: Press Eye

He added: “The wider issue this has brought into focus is the lack of provision within the current legislation on the eligibility of those, convicted of serious criminal offences, to serve as members of the EA.

This week I have thoroughly researched this problem and my conclusion is that to alter the status quo would require legislative change. I am wholly convinced that this is the right thing to do and therefore, under the ministerial code, I will next week submit to the executive proposals to alter the law in this regard and will seek executive colleagues support to proceed in this manner.”

Ms Travers gave her full backing to his plan.

“I totally support the Education Minister in his amendment of the Education Act,” she said. “Shamefully Sinn Fein have once more displayed an arrogance regarding some of their senior members’ actions as members of PIRA, with absolutely no regard for their victims, once more forcing us to speak out publicly for the right thing to be done.”

Ann's sister Mary Travers who was shot dead by the IRA as she walked home from Mass with her Father Thomas and her Mother Joan.Ann's sister Mary Travers who was shot dead by the IRA as she walked home from Mass with her Father Thomas and her Mother Joan.
Ann's sister Mary Travers who was shot dead by the IRA as she walked home from Mass with her Father Thomas and her Mother Joan.
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She was not aware that Mr Kavanagh had ever expressed any remorse for his bombing attack, she added.

“Mr Weir is doing the right thing and I hope the rest of the Executive fully support him. I hope that this will be the last time that Sinn Fein will be so thoughtless and arrogant in their regard towards victims.“

Sinn Fein did not offer any comment yesterday. The party previously said: “Paul Kavanagh has a wealth of experience in education, government and policy development.”

Kenny Donaldson, Spokesman for Innocent Victims United said: “We welcome this step announced today by the Education Minister and we implore all Executive parties to support the effort to close off appointments to the Board of The Education Authority for those who hold serious criminal convictions. It is irreconcilable for individuals with serious criminal convictions to be given leave to serve on a Board which holds policy responsibly for the educating of our young people”.

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