Northern Ireland

Analysis: Justice denied teaches patience is a powerful thing

Ian Knox cartoon 14/5/21 
Ian Knox cartoon 14/5/21  Ian Knox cartoon 14/5/21 

"CACK-handed", "contemptuous", "disgraceful" - it is difficult to imagine a more scathing response to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's apology to the families of the 10 unarmed men and woman killed by the British army in Ballymurphy.

Arriving in an email as the relatives were gathered around a TV watching Secretary of State Brandon Lewis delivering the government's formal apology on behalf of the state, it fell far short of what they had expected.

It had taken less than 24 hours for the euphoria released by Mrs Justice Siobhan Keegan's confirmation that their loved ones were "entirely innocent" to be punctured by the clunky response of the state.

There was "anger" in the room yesterday at the failure to mention the Parachute Regiment's part in the shootings and the absence of Mr Johnson.

Read More: Boris Johnson told to `come out of hiding' and meet Ballymurphy families

John Teggart (centre) made a statement on behalf of the families on in Belfast outlining their anger. Picture by Arthur Allison.
John Teggart (centre) made a statement on behalf of the families on in Belfast outlining their anger. Picture by Arthur Allison. John Teggart (centre) made a statement on behalf of the families on in Belfast outlining their anger. Picture by Arthur Allison.

In a statement made after the families met to discuss the apology, John Teggart said: "The feeling in the room was anger. That's the emotion coming through from all the family members - anger."

But there was no real surprise, for these are sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews who have spent five decades being frustrated by the state.

In some ways Mr Lewis went further than former Prime Minister David Cameron, who incensed families by failing to name those killed on Bloody Sunday when he delivered his apology for the army killings in Derry.

The secretary of state carefully named each victim and - as many of the MPs acknowledged - there was little he could do about his boss's absence.

It has been said more than once over the course of this week that justice delayed is justice denied.

But for the families that delay has taught them that, when coupled with tenacity, patience is a powerful thing and they are prepared to continue to wait for the right outcome.

"We never asked for an apology," John Teggart said last night.

"We're not putting Boris in a corner or rushing things. We don't want him standing up in parliament saying one thing then all of a sudden bringing in legislation for the soldiers to give them an amnesty.

"Ten people had an inquest and 11 citizens died in Ballymurphy. We've done all we can. It's now for the authorities to find out who those soldiers were. Who shot my daddy 14 times?

"It's now the job for the proper authorities to take it forward."

The letter from Boris Johnson to victims' families
The letter from Boris Johnson to victims' families The letter from Boris Johnson to victims' families