Northern Ireland

Commission of Investigation Dáil bill into Troubles' collusion expected

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín

A BILL backing the establishment of a Commission of Investigation into alleged British collusion during the Troubles is expected to be tabled by Aontú at the Dáil in the coming months.

The Commission of Investigation (Collusion by British State Forces ) Bill 2022 is designed to set up an probe into the extent of alleged collusion on both sides of the border during the 30 year northern conflict.

In recent months several major Police Ombudsman reports have found there was collusive behaviour between loyalist paramilitary groups and some RUC officers.

News of the bill comes after reports that the British government is planning to introduce and Troubles amnesty within the next six months.

Relatives of many people killed during the conflict are bitterly opposed to the controversial plan.

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said there has never been a comprehensive investigation into collusion.

“Despite the death toll and the mounting evidence of British state collusion, incredibly, there has not been a comprehensive investigation into what happened and how far up the chain of command British collusion goes," he said.

"Victims and survivors are entitled to know who did what, and who should be held responsible."

Mr Tóibín urged other political parties and the Irish government to support the bill.

"This Aontú bill if passed would institute an investigation to find the answers to these questions," he said.

"I call on all parties and the government to immediately support the bill’s swift passage so the search for truth may begin without delay.”

Aontú Deputy Leader Denise Mullen, whose father was shot dead by the UVF in 1975, said: “The need for an all-Ireland inquiry... cannot be denied any longer."