Ballymurphy

Posted by Jim on August 14, 2014

DOLORES KELLY STATEMENT ON BALLYMURPHY

It is important again to acknowledge the efforts and the dignity of the Ballymurphy families in your campaign for truth.

It is a cause of anger that the families of the victims continue to be denied justice. Just like the Bloody Sunday campaign, the terrible loss of life, the innocence of those killed and the denial of truth makes the Ballymurphy campaign a very important one. Your campaign deserves the support and attention of everyone. All of those shot in Ballymurphy were killed by members of the Parachute Regiment who just five months later murdered innocent people in Derry on Bloody Sunday. The victims’ families deserve redress and compassion and the innocence of their loved ones vindicated.
This year you have campaigned long and hard to get the Irish and British Governments endorsement of your proposals for an independent panel to review the Ballymurphy.
It is welcome the Taoiseach has supported your campaign and readily backed your proposal for an investigation based on the Hillsborough Independent Panel. My party, Sinn Fein and Alliance were with you when you met the Taoiseach. His support was another vindication of your campaign.

The Irish Government has increasingly shown their authority around and commitment to addressing the past in a comprehensive way. That has been clear from the leadership of  Eamon Gilmore around the Haass/O’Sullivan talks process.
Unfortunately the same cannot be said of the British Government. Yet again their treatment of the Ballymurphy has been hurtful.

The Secretary of State is utterly wrong in her decision to state that it is not in the public interest to have a panel investigation. Utterly  wrong. This can be done in parallel to the ongoing inquest. As the Secretary of State should know, there was an ongoing criminal investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence at the same time as there was an inquiry into his murder. To suggest that a panel could not be convened because of the ongoing inquest is false. London knows it is false. Shame on those who persist in this falsehood.
The SDLP will continue to call on the British government to issue a statement of innocence, to issue an apology to the families, and to deliver an independent international investigation (based on the Hillsborough Independent Panel) examining the circumstances surrounding these deaths.
Can I also call for the two Governments to gather with the parties, to together talk, to together conclude the challenge of dealing with the Past in a comprehensive and ethical way. Victims and Survivors, you here present and the many others everywhere, those who suffered because of state agencies, those who suffered because of the illegal groups,  call out that the Past is addressed now, properly, decisively> You must not be let down again.