Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
AN AMENDED BILL to deal with the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland now meets the British government’s international human rights commitments, Chris Heaton-Harris has said.
The Northern Ireland Secretary said he accepted that aspects of the legislation were controversial and uncomfortable but added that he believed it represented the best opportunity for families of those killed during the Troubles to get information about what happened to their loved ones.
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill proposes an effective offer of immunity from prosecution for perpetrators of crimes during the Troubles who co-operate with a truth-recovery body.
It would also halt future civil cases and inquests linked to killings during the conflict.
While the UK government introduced a number of amendments to the bill earlier this month, the Stormont parties, Irish government and victims groups remain opposed to it.
As the amended Bill enters report stage in the House of Lords tomorrow, Amnesty International urged peers to reject it and the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatovic, said it would violate international obligations.
But, speaking to the Institute of Government in London, Heaton-Harris said there had been a number of attempts to deal with the concerns of victims in Northern Ireland.
He said: “I was the Government’s chief whip when it (the Bill) went through the Commons and it was fairly obvious that the Bill, in the state it went through the Commons, was causing concern.
“I am not saying that concern has gone away.
“We extended the amount of time so the Commons could air its views, it has had one of the longest committee stages in the Lords.”
Heaton-Harris continued: “It was essentially in committee over five months, we tabled a whole host of amendments.
“Investigations can continue. But it does contain conditional immunity for those that come forward and give true information to the commission we are setting up.
“It would then discharge that information in a report to the families who might have asked for it.
“I know that is controversial, I know that is uncomfortable, I know that is not perfect.
“It might just give some of the families enough information to feel comforted that they know what happened to their loved ones.
“I also know that for 25 years since the Troubles, these families have not had anything.
“Now, it is a generation that is passing on.
“I hope that when it is reported back to the House of Commons I will be able to stand up hand on heart and say this is an Article 2-compliant Bill.”
Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International UK’s Northern Ireland deputy director, said the UK Government should abandon the “deeply damaging Bill”.
“For a Bill so widely condemned both at home and on the international stage, it is staggering that the Government are intent on inflicting it on victims and perpetuating their trauma,” she said.
“To add insult to injury, the UK Government’s trailed ‘game-changing’ amendments have only served to worsen the situation for victims.
“No number of amendments will save this Bill.
“Peers must continue to reject the Government’s path to impunity and injustice.
“Victims deserve better, their rights must be protected.”
Michael O’Hare, whose 12-year-old sister Majella O’Hare was shot dead by a British soldier in Co Armagh 45 years ago, said the Bill fails victims.
“When a crime is committed, usually the victim is prioritised, but it is clear the UK government aren’t prioritising us,” he said.
“Their amendments change nothing: they are still protecting perpetrators who carried out serious acts of wrongdoing.
“We appreciate the strong opposition to date from peers to this Bill – and it is vital that continues.
“At every stage, government should be hearing that this disgraceful Bill fails victims.
“Legacy processes should be victim-centred, instead we’re being shamefully let down.”
The UK Government has decided to go ahead with the Bill in a way that does not recognise Northern Ireland’s violent past or honour the suffering of victims
She said: “I have repeatedly warned that the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill would undermine the human rights of victims, as well as truth-seeking, reconciliation and justice efforts.
“Despite this, the UK Government has decided to go ahead with the Bill in a way that does not recognise Northern Ireland’s violent past or honour the suffering of victims.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
There is some amount of degenerative retrobates around the streets..
Its getting sadder.
@Shayne O’Donoghue: place landmines in the field. That will learn them.
@ben: it would teach them to keep the ball up.
@Shayne O’Donoghue: what’s more sadder is that there is people /organizations out that defends them and makes excuses for them. by saying its society that causes people to behave in such a way! they are called do gooders.
@ben: might make mowing a bit tricky
This ‘lockdown’ is bringing into sharp focus the lack of respect and regard some people have for their fellow citizens and public property. it also isnt solely a Dublin problem, its country wide
@alphasully: Irish people don’t vote for authoritarian politicians; So this sort of behaviour will never cease.
@Pat Coyne:
“Irish people don’t vote for authoritarian politicians”
Should we??
@brendan fitzsimons: I’m just stating the facts, there is little point in complaining about lawlessness, when those advocating a more stringent law enforcement policy get demonised by the media and don’t get voted for by the electorate.
@Pat Coyne: Ireland has very low crime rate. Some idiots driving on pitches does not alter that.
@Pat Coyne: bring back the old days when parents could actually chastise their kids.. I don’t mean bate the be janey out of them but a clip around the ear and a smack on the backside!!! That and of course common sense to ‘guide’ their kids not try to be their friend!
@Lydia McLoughlin: and while we’re at it can we bring back some kind of authority for the man of the house? I don’t mean bate the be janey out of the wife but a slap with an open hand. That would guide them not to over cook the dinner, be her husband not her friend.
Doesn’t sound so good does it?
@Conor McCabe: Or maybe we could make examples of the parents of law breaking children. We could make them do the time to fit the crime, or pay the fine…. I see where you’re coming from, but I also see where Lydia is coming from too. But if we just debate what’s needed instead of acting on it. Then the good guys out there will get pissed off being left behind.
@Paul Linehan:
Imagine if the kid didnt have a good relationship with the parents.
Or undiagnosed behavioural or mental issues.
Imagine if the parents were afraid in their own home.
Or there wasnt a parent to begin with.
Debate is needed to determine a proper resolution. Half baked ideas create further injustice.
A pitch isn’t the worst of issues at the moment while public gatherings are disallowed
@Pat Coyne: WTF are you on about
@Pat Coyne: what a ridiculous statement. Authoritarians aren’t lawful. If they were, they would respect laws and constitutions that limit their power. Authoritarians are corrupt. Corruption doesn’t respect law. Authoritarians do not respect civil liberties. The most basic and fundamental laws. The middle east is full of authoritarian leaders. Is that the model you’re going for? Just a ridiculously uneducated statement.
@Jarlath Coady: A observation is not an endorsement.
If we keep up with the current policy of soft policing these low life’s, Ireland will be a complete cesspool in 20yrs time.
@Seán Dillon: It already is!!!
@James Browne: still a few decent people and places left, unfortunately those degenerates are breeding with other degenerates exponentially and we’re paying their dole and childers allowance.
@James Browne: drama queen!
@Seán Dillon: its already a sesspool
Is regrettable that the judiciary let these people off with a slap on the wrist. Understandable that the Garda couldn’t be bothered. All the more so when people know who they are.
@Dnom: good point. Why would a guard be bothered when they know a solicitor is just going to stand up, plead their innocents and milk the system dry by claiming legal aid.
@aidan mccormack: I know where you’re coming from but with that mindset there’s no incentive to do anything about anti social behaviour in this country. I’ve seen a lot of vandalism reported in my area over the past while and it’s sad to see it become normalised.
Do other countries have these $cumbags like we do? Spitting at gards, coughing in ministers faces, coughing in anyone’s face, vandalising things, treating humans and animals in a despicable way, just $cum. I’d have grabbed them by the scruff of the neck and thrown them in a cell.
@Anne: I’d hazard a guess and say yes
@Anne:
Hard labour!
I’ve just come back from Perth and we visited Kings Park in the city. Huge park, overlooking the city, open 24/7 to the public, people come at night just to see the lights. Not a speck of dirt or litter anywhere!
I remarked to family members about the cleanliness, saying that it wouldn’t happen in Ireland!
@Mary Walshe:
“I’ve just come back from Perth and we visited Kings Park in the city. Huge park, overlooking the city, open 24/7 to the public, people come at night just to see the lights.”
Now we know where the next Covid hot-spot will be!
@brendan fitzsimons: Pre-COVID-19.
Ffn was scrotes,as if the emergency services weren’t stretched end
I’m quite sure their parents are proud of their spawn and boast about how great their kids are.
@Justice Mickey: the parents probably dont care either way
Payment for damages should be taken from either their wages or social
Hose pipe over the legs every day for a week should sort that out
Time to bring in boot camps see them squall for their mammies then
Knackers – Enough Said
That’s them in for the night! Say’s nobodys Ma ever
If only they crashed and burned
Don’t mention “caravan” “culture” “inbred” or anything thats 1% controversial or comment GONE
Lock them back up in St. Pat’s…….Oh no that might upset the do gooders who said St. Pat’s was too harsh
Must be the first time in a while the journal hasn’t labeled the whole place district k
I was listening to RTÉ yesterday evening and in passing talk about emergency legislation still on the books from 1948 they said that flogging was still on the books…I would have no problem volunteering to wield the sally stick.
Shur they emptied the prisons what do u expect
Mulhuddart is West County Dublin.. Duh!! Just because its under Fingal doesn’t make it North. We have enough shite credited to us without taking the Mulhuddart boyos on as well!!
Regular occurrence
Dirt!!
Fcking scrotes,as if the emergency services weren’t stretched end
THERE IS NO REAL PUNISHMENT FOR CRIME IN IRELAND
Kn@ckers
Problem is we don’t take motoring crimes seriously in this country. The Gardai rarely prosecute the “minor” stuff, and the fines are tiny. Even if you kill somebody you’ll probably be let off with a driving ban which you can ignore, since if you’re caught it’s again, a tiny fine and a driving ban.
Imagine if a sniper was set up nearby and imagine what would follow. This kind of behaviour (sniping) is of course against the law and can’t be condoned.
These teenagers need the birch. Let’s see them cry like like the babies they really are.
Little ballbags!
All sports events cancelled untill further notice hope it is repaired bt then
A community only reaps what it sows. If parents have no respect for public property due to illegal dumping etc well then their off-springs are going to follow through to form.
Bad parenting and spongers.
I am not a violent man, and I despised the IRA, but I actually would love to see these degenerates kneecapped by the IRA.
When are we going to start cracking heads with these people? Driving through Dublin yesterday it’s startling how many scrumbags are roaming the streets with impunity.
Fkn scrotes,as if the emergency services weren’t stretched end
There’s no place in society for these people.
hopefully this virus will cull the herd of these oxygen thief’s
more scxnbags.. who rears these ?
Those cowboys in there….
have your say