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FAMILIES OF PEOPLE shot dead by British soldiers at Ballymurphy 50 years ago have called on the Government to intervene in any attempt to prevent prosecutions of veterans by the British Government.
Family members said they would take legal action against any plans to block the prosecution of former British soldiers.
Carmel Quinn, whose brother John Laverty was shot dead in the incident in west Belfast, appeared before the Good Friday Agreement Committee in Dublin today.
She said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson needs to be told “firmly” that there should no amnesty for soldiers who allegedly committed crimes during the Northern Ireland Troubles.
Earlier this month, Johnson issued a formal apology to the families of the Ballymurphy victims, after a coroner found that the 10 people who died in August 1971 were “entirely innocent”.
The Army was found to be responsible for nine of the deaths, which included a mother-of-eight and a Catholic priest.
Fine Gael senator Emer Currie said families should have access to an effective investigation and process of justice for every Troubles-related death.
“I am utterly against any unilateral action that changes the Stormont House Agreement which is a collective framework to deal with legacy,” Currie told the committee.
“If unilateral action is taken what does that mean for obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which is a key element of the Good Friday Agreement, and what does it mean for international human rights?”
Padraig O Muirigh, solicitor for the Ballymurphy families, said any move to provide amnesty for British soldiers is a breach of the ECHR.
“These families will challenge any such move by the British Government, in the domestic courts or the European courts if they need to,” he added.
Quinn said the inquest process was often distressing for the families.
“It was the attitude of some of the soldiers who were asked about things but said they couldn’t remember. That was right down the line,” she added.
“There are other families who haven’t had any kind of recognition, their loved ones were murdered one day and then nothing happened.
“The Stormont House Agreement is there, the mechanisms are there, but people can’t move on and they are stuck in the past because there has never been any accountability for what happened.
“There was a letter sent to Irish Government from people from all walks who lost someone in the conflict but that still needs some kind of accountability.
“That needs to be addressed. The Stormont House Agreement needs to be implemented and the Prime Minister needs to be told firmly there is no amnesty on the table for soldiers.”
John Teggart, whose father Danny was shot by a soldier in August 1971, said that if a proper investigation had been carried out at the time of the deaths, it would have saved other lives.
He added: “If the courts were more sympathetic to the families without taking the word of the Army at the time, if things were done differently in the courts and they were held accountable, things would have been different.
“We corrected history and vindicated their good names. We hope the same help and resources and the same laws were available to others.”
Teggart, who was 11 when his father was killed, described the years after his death, saying: “It was very hard. I grew up really angry about what happened.
“I would have heard my mummy crying at night-time. My family was split up to try and help in some way. We were sharing the pain and that continued through life.”
Quinn, who was eight when her brother was killed, said: “There was nightly raids at our homes because that is what the Army did. They targeted the homes of the people that were murdered, they targeted them to try and keep us quiet and demonise us.
“It was another way to try and keep the families down.
“My mother was never the same again after that. It has had a lasting impact on my life.
“I am very conscious of where my children are, who are adults now, and I am very alert and anxious. The rest of my siblings were never the same again and never lived the lives they should have lived.
“I get sometimes very angry because not only did they murder my brother, they destroyed an entire family. I watched my mummy slowly die in front of me and my dad died of a broken heart.
“Our loved ones were innocent but we need prosecutions and investigations. We will never move on.
“I can’t accept what happened to my brother.”
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It’s such a shame that the MP who represents those unfortunate Ballymurphy families refuses to attend the Houses of Parliament.
@Terry Larkin: but accepts the salary and expenses…setting an ethical example for all to follow.
@Brian Lyons: I’m no supporter of SF, but seriously? That’s what you get out of this?
@Terry Larkin: Yes its such a shame in keeping your election manifesto for 100 years, its called Absenteeism and the people who vote for them know that. Its also a shame that most Gov parties in Ireland don’t even try to honor theirs days after being elected. But the biggest shame is people like you accepting Parties that don’t keep their election promises and criticize those that do.
@Da Dell: The nationalist people of N Ireland continually vote in the Shinners who refuse to represent them in Westminster. They are then left with a minority nationalist party to represent them in the SDLP and a majority unionist DUP party. It would better fit the Shinners to come to a pact with SDLP on Westminster. If that was to happen there would be a majority nationalist voice in Westminster not a currently held DUP agenda. Who unfortunately are not representing everyone’s views. Being pig headed will not process things now will it. If they don’t believe in the British parliament why stand in their elections. Is it just because they can? As John Hume always said you can’t eat a flag and the people are at a disadvantage because of the Shinners 100 year old stance of absenteeism.
@Brian Shea: not turning up in west minister shows NI is a failed STATE.
TAKING THE DOSH is cunning..
@Brian Shea: Well obviously people vote for SF to not take seats in Westminster and not take the oath of allegiance to the Queen no matter what way you want to spin it. If they dont like that then they can vote for the SDLP then cant they.
@Brian Shea: No nationalist believes in a British parliament, but unfortunately they have no choice in NI, there is much nonsense in your comment it’s astounding. Why dont you go up North and have a chat with a few nationalists and see how ya might get on, ya never know you might get a mandate to set up a new party with your visionary ideas.
@Brian Shea: people in the six counties know who they are voting for and what they stand for. Who are you to tell them they shouldn’t. I’m from the North and would not give my vote to anyone who would take their seats in Westminster, sign an oath of alligance to a British monarch, and legitimise the undemocratic state they forced.
@Terry Larkin: Read an Irish history book before commenting
The british commonwealth was the largest ever in the world and VERY rich off the back of LESS DEVELOPED NATIONS.
WALK AROUD LONDO ALL THE MATERIALS WERE RESOURCED IN THE COLONYS BY SLAVRY METHODS …VISIT KEMYA.
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