Northern Ireland

Expert panel warns lack of access to legacy justice can 'jeopardise reconciliation processes for generations'

Alan McBride
Alan McBride Alan McBride

AN expert panel has warned that an inability to access justice in legacy cases can "jeopardise reconciliation processes for generations".

The Kenova Victims Focus Group (VFG) made the remarks after a recent review of Operation Kenova - which is currently investigating some legacy cases.

The comments come just weeks after British government plans to scrap Troubles linked prosecutions were revealed by Secretary of State Brandon Lewis.

The Westminster government also wants to end civil cases and inquests.

The proposals to introduce a statute of limitations have been met with cross-community opposition.

Operation Kenova was set up in 2016 to probe the activities of the agent known as Stakeknife and has since taken on other investigations along with a review into the Glenanne Gang.

It is headed by former Bedfordshire police chief Jon Boutcher, who has previously described the British government's proposals as a "miscalculation".

Operation Kenova is viewed by some as a potential model for how the past should be investigated.

A panel of experts who recently reviewed Kenova's strategy and vision have raised concerns about the British government's plans.

The VFG includes former victims' commissioner Judith Thompson and Alan McBride, whose wife Sharon was killed in the 1993 Shankhill bomb.

In a statement, the report's authors said that "an independent and victim-centred approach to investigations is key to ensuring the rights and needs of those who suffered bereavement and harm are met.

"A prohibition on the prosecution of legacy cases can result in justice being denied to all, in a single sweeping decision," it said.

They warned a denial of justice could have consequences for the future.

"Just as trauma crosses generations so too can anger over injustice," they said.

"An inability to access justice can jeopardise reconciliation processes for generations and it can diminish confidence in the justice system."

Speaking to The Irish News last night Mr McBride said "there is a model out there which can be replicated".

"And if you get the right person to head that up, somebody of the calibre of Jon Boutcher, then I know that we can deliver for victims and survivors," he said.

He said many victims and survivors have cautious expectations.

"Nobody is expecting the sun the moon and the stars, we are not expecting people to be going through the courts and going to jail for man, many years," he said.

"We know there are limitations with (whatever) is put in place.

"At the moment if someone was caught involved in a terrorist atrocity from back in the day the most they can serve in jail is two years.

"Why should we take that away from families, even if its not justice as you would like it to be, why should we take that away from families that have already been through so much?"

The Northern Ireland Office was contacted.