Welcome for Government's opposition to Troubles amnesty

The move was proposed by the UK Government last year.

The Government has been praised for its opposition to a proposal from the British Government to put in place an amnesty for all those accused of murders during The Troubles.

Local Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has welcomed comments from the Taoiseach who said the Government opposes such a move.

The proposed amnesty for those responsible for murderers, both state forces or people from paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland, has been met with opposition form political parties and campaign groups there.

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Smith said he has called for the Government to oppose the move.

“Over the past 12 or 18 months, I have asked the Taoiseach on a number of occasions in this House if the Government would ensure that in every communication, both verbal and written, with the British Government it reiterates the total opposition of the people of this country to the proposed amnesty. It is an amnesty for murderers, be they state forces or people from paramilitary organisations. That is totally unacceptable and I am glad the Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Coveney, reiterated that clearly in their earlier contributions."

He also praised Taoiseach Micheál Martin for comments he made on a visit to Derry to mark the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.

“No way is the idea of an amnesty for murderers acceptable. Under no circumstances should it be acceptable in any democratic country. Introducing such a proposal means the British Government wants to put an end to all investigations. Imagine a Government proposing to close down existing investigations and give up on whatever chance there is of getting the truth.”

Deputy Smith hit out at the proposal from Prime Minister Boris Johnston, particularly for the impact it would have on families who have been campaigning for answers for decades after the death of a loved one.

“We would be jumping up and down if some state in Latin America made such a proposal. I am glad of the communications of the Minister, Deputy Coveney, at departmental and ministerial level, and the communications of the Taoiseach. The Taoiseach has told us clearly in this House on numerous occasions that he has conveyed those points clearly to Mr. Johnson.”

A number of local murders during The Troubles have gone without anybody being convicted since, despite investigations remaining open.

The Belturbet bombing in 1972 and the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in 1974 are among them.