“We’re not victims! We made victims!”
That was the brutally honest answer from a leading loyalist paramilitary, when a number of years ago I asked why they did not seek representation on the Victims’ Forum. That position has changed somewhat over the years, but most loyalist paramilitaries are still well aware that they would get little sympathy from the wider community if they tried to present themselves as the same as the 1,071 people they murdered.
The same sentiment doesn’t seem to apply in the republican movement, many of whose members seem obsessed with portraying themselves as the same as the over 2,148 victims they murdered and seeking respect for their actions.
That demand for equivalence is what has delayed awarding a pension to innocent victims seriously injured during the Troubles.
Four republicans demanding to be treated on the same basis as those they injured are preventing payouts for more than 400 people. There are six loyalists in a similar position, but I do not hear them making the same demands.
The context of the Troubles is important. We can understand that many young people were caught up in the violence that emerged onto our streets and listened to those promoting two hate-filled ideologies – extremely sectarian and racist versions of unionism and republicanism. However, they still had personal choices to make and certainly those on the loyalist side understand that.
If they were victims at all, it was because the flawed ideologies they followed caused them to make self-destructive personal choices.
Having said that, there is an argument to be made in a compassionate society that we should ensure we provide for all those injured through the provision of benefits and health care already available.
As to the injured republicans, they were part of a very wealthy movement that is more than capable of providing for them.
That source of funding is not currently available to those injured thanks to their actions.
What those who planned and planted the bombs and pulled the triggers and caused so much tragedy in our society should also appreciate is that in our remarkably forgiving society unconditional apologies from them, rather than, “We regret those tragedies but they were necessary and justified”, would help transform the way society relates to them.
They should reflect on that.
TREVOR RINGLAND
Holywood, Co Down
Opportunity for people to plan future care and support while they’re capable
The important topic of advance care planning featured in the letters page on May 22 with a plea from Adrienne Betteley, Macmillan Cancer Support, for individuals and their families to take some time to consider the issue of death and dying, particular with our frail and elderly loved ones.
We have been working with the Department of Health and many in the voluntary sector to understand how best to take forward a societal conversation on the topic of death, dying and bereavement.
Our Palliative Care in Partnership programme is aimed at exactly this – improving the quality of life, at the end of life.
While Covid-19 has brought this into sharp focus for many, our future projections of death trends indicate that in the next 25 years, we could see an increase of more than 30% in the numbers dying annually, due to changes in our population age profile.
Advance Care Planning is the opportunity for people to plan their future care and support, including medical treatment, while they have the capacity to do so.
It is often a very delicate conversation to initiate and follow through. Few of us want to consider the end. However, if we can support individuals and families to work through the conversations that are needed, this will go a long way to improving that quality of life for those we hold dear and help us grieve.
While our doctors and other health and social care professionals are there to guide us through the Advanced Care Planning process, we should take ownership of this process so that our wishes are clear and documented.
If you are interested in learning more about this process, you can download the ‘Your Life:Your Choices – Plan Ahead’ booklet (www.macmillan.org.uk), which has been produced by the Public Health Agency and Macmillan.
PAUL TURLEY
Palliative Care Commissioning Lead, Health and Social Care Board, Belfast
The system is the problem
The killing of George Floyd is tearing apart the farcical myth of the ‘land of the free’, of the land ‘of tolerance’ built supposedly by free, loving and equal migrants. Despite the restrictions people locally and around the world taking to the streets have every right to be angry. This is not only about George Floyd. It is about more than 200 years of oppression and savagery. Those who demand that protest remains “civic” and harmless, deploring “vandalism” in far more strident terms than they deplore racism, are nothing but hypocritical defenders of the status quo. The real vandals are those who think that carrying a blue uniform gives them a right to maim and torture at will. The system is the problem, not this or that police officer, not this or that president, not this or that party. It requires deep transformation of the political institutions which are the product of this legacy of brutality, segregation, exclusion, war, militarism, invasion and imperialism. The people on the streets today have the answers, while our ruling elites don’t even know the questions.
SEAN MATTHEWS
Crumlin, Co Antrim
Wilson should try taking life a little less seriously
May I congratulate Wilson Burgess on his good fortune of having a “living engagement” in the presence of the Eucharist. That’s nice. As a Catholic we can only hope to achieve such, if only we were all so good as you Wilson.
However, as a teacher and mother, who is also a daily Mass goer and adorer of the Eucharist, I hardly think that a little Irish dance at the end of Mass is an excommunicable offence. The dancers were trying to give us a little humour at this most difficult time.
Whatever rocks your boat Wilson may not be what rocks another.
I am sure the dancers did not mean to offend.
A true Christian would be careful not to offend anyone by criticism or any other way. Perhaps Wilson, you should try to take life a little less seriously in these very serious times, it might help you find that inner joy.
PAULINE McCARTAN
Craigavon, Co Armagh
