British Army checkpoint at Buncrana Road Derry blown up in October 1990 by IRA ‘human bomb’ which claimed the life of Patsy Gillespie who was strapped into bomb-laden vehicle. His killers have never faced justice
The suggestion is contained in an advice paper from the Commission for Victims and Survivors sent to the Executive Office at Stormont (TEO).
If the proposal is accepted, around 13,000 people could benefit and the scheme could cost up to £130 million.
That would cover one-off payments of £10,000, which would apply regardless of the circumstances in which a person was killed.
Awards of £50,000 would see the scheme requiring funding of almost £650m.
About 3,500 people were killed in the Troubles during more than 30 years of violence from the late 1960s onwards.
In a foreword to the document, victims’ commissioner Ian Jeffers states: “I have no doubt this paper will be contentious.
“There will be some who find it difficult to accept the idea that all bereaved families should be included, regardless of who their deceased loved one was.
“I fully understand this challenge, but I do see the value of a recognition payment to those suggested in this paper in promoting reconciliation.”
The suggestion echoes an idea previously floated in 2009 by the Consultative Group on the Past, headed by Lord Eames and Denis Bradley.
It proposed payments of £12,000.
However, it was rejected by the government on the basis that it lacked support.
In the paper, Mr Jeffers urges decision-makers to act “at pace”, stating things cannot take the decade it took to implement a pension scheme for those badly injured during the Troubles.
Kathleen Gillespie with her late husband Patsy who was murdered by the IRA
The paper states it would be for politicians to ultimately decide upon “qualifying individuals”.
It goes on: “Beneficiaries should comprise: a spouse/partner, parent, child and siblings. Each should be entitled to the payment in their own right.”
It acknowledges “the availability of funding may be an obstacle” currently, but adds that stance is “unsustainable”.
There has been no Stormont Executive for almost two years after the DUP walked out of government over the NI Protocol.
Tags: