Burying truth along with victims
It is remarkable that Trevor Ringland has so little sympathy for nationalist perspectives, yet expects us to heed his directives. His latest letter – ‘We should all make an effort to engage with legacy proposals’ (July 28) – concludes with a reference to Trojan King Priam kissing the hands of the Greek warrior Achilles, and pleading for the return of his son’s body. Mr Ringland misses the irony of using this metaphor to tell bereaved relatives pleading for truth about murdered sons and daughters, to embrace a legacy plan by the same British government, which they believe carried out or colluded in these murders.
Mr Ringland thinks there is so much anger at the British amnesty plan “because it made clear that justice would be difficult to deliver.” In fact, victims’ families are angry, because they feel the British are blocking the delivery of justice to keep the truth buried along with their victims.
The Ballymurphy Massacre Inquest proved that despite the passage of time the truth about many legacy killings can be delivered. Nearly half a century passed from the killings until the inquest verdict. Numerous civilian witnesses not only came forward, but welcomed the chance to testify. Judge Siobhan Keegan had no difficulty in finding the facts and rendering a comprehensive verdict. If there is anything still lacking it would be the failure of the PSNI Constabulary to commence an investigation into the unlawful killings of a Catholic priest, a grandmother and eight others.
Bereaved relatives like the Springhill Massacre or New Lodge Six families, or those listed for Ombudsman Investigations have waited their turn, and seemed on the cusp of getting justice for their loved ones. They are angry because they see the British government taking away legal mechanisms which worked for other families.
Mr Ringland thinks it “grossly unfair” that there are so many civil actions against the British government for acts carried out by British crown forces. Presumably, as a solicitor, he knows the crown need only pay damages, where murders, beatings, or other acts committed by British forces were unlawful.
Lastly those familiar with the story, will recall that the warrior Achilles felt compassion for Priam and mercifully granted the bereaved king’s plea. Sadly the British government shows no such compassion for Irish victims, continuing to ram through its legacy cover-up bill despite bereaved families’ pleas for justice and truth.
MARTIN GALVIN
New York
Opportunity to look at future of policing
The data breach by the PSNI presents a wonderful opportunity to objectively assess the PSNI some 20 years after its formation.
As various vested interests and dubious individuals pile in to assign blame, rent their clothes and demand retribution, this is instead an ideal opportunity to look to the future of policing in Northern Ireland (NI).
And so here are some possible solutions.
Rebranding with restructuring:
(i) Transform the PSNI into an European Union (EU) policing body through integration with Europol. Post-Brexit we’re already listed as a Member State of the EU and remain within the EU Single Market for goods. Why not extend this relationship further, and especially
given that policing is
integral to some legislation governing trade?
Or, (ii) Reinvent the PSNI to parallel the Garda Síochána possibly under the remit of the North-South Ministerial Council.
Either of these steps should remove any terrorist threats to police officers from republican dissidents.
Proceed with the PSNI training college at Desertcreat in partnership with the Garda Síochána and other social services to change the way policing operates in NI, which could possibly be funded by the Irish government’s all-island fund. It can be argued that this is the time to ditch the Penal Code that just produces an endless churn of prisoners at great cost to those individuals, but which handsomely rewards police officers, lawyers, judiciary and the prison service at great expense to taxpayers. There seems little point, for example, in sentencing a drug addict to a short term in prison when they’re only to re-offend once released. What is needed instead is to address and manage the underlying problem, and possibly for the rest of their lives in some cases.
Lastly, as the First Minister designate, this would appear a subject for which the Sinn Féin deputy leader could establish a citizens’ assembly, either at Stormont or one or both of the two local universities, and to invite a representative sample of NI people, which could include both loyalists and dissident republicans as well. Let’s take that next step into a brave new world.
BERNARD MULHOLLAND
Belfast BT9
Scary happenings
The scary happenings with the personal details of the PSNI being leaked has put the safety of officers at top of the security crisis which never seems far away from the ‘at peace’ Northern Ireland. The reality is that sometimes we are re-awakened to the stark threat of terrorists (republican and loyalist), which await for the opportunity to attack people and State organisations of this whole island. When naive commentators call for border plebiscites towards the ‘joys’ of their ‘united Ireland dream’ just around the corner, please reflect. A vital issue like the PSNI potential ongoing threat to their very lives, shows the real danger of fomenting crackpot notions and wishful thinking along the lines of pseudo-political territorial national unity in the midst of continuing severe threats.
This must be a non starter in every clear-thinking mind.The devil we know can be somewhat contained, but not if the mad dogs of war seize upon any excuse to be released.
ROBERT SULLIVAN
Bantry, Co Cork
Reinstate holiday hunger grant
Since March the government have removed the Holiday Hunger Grant. Essentially this was a payment for 96,000 children who were eligible for Free School Meals in the north. It was a payment of £27 per child every fortnight during school summer holidays, but also applied during the Easter holidays and mid-term breaks. The removal of this payment is having a disproportionate impact on disabled children. This is totally unacceptable especially as families are finding it so difficult to make ends meet.
I find this increasingly frustrating as other regions of the UK are still entitled to this payment. In my opinion a functioning executive should have been in place fighting to ensure this payment was not withdrawn. An Assembly is certainly not going to cure all our problems here but at the very least we need MLAs doing the jobs they were elected to do and especially as they are still drawing down their salaries albeit at a slightly reduced amount.
I will be making my own submission to the British government to express my total opposition to the removal of this payment and to press the government to reinstate this payment to families in need here in the north of Ireland as a matter of urgency.
KIERAN McCAUSLAND
Aontú, Upper Bann
