Relatives for Justice delegation to meet Taoiseach
and Leader of the Opposition in Dublin tomorrow
Relatives for Justice is to meet An Taoiseach Mícheál Martin TD tomorrow at Dublin’s Government Buildings, with a delegation that includes Ormeau Rd Bookies Atrocity Survivor Mark Sykes. The delegation will also meet with the leader of the opposition Mary Lou McDonald TD.
It is a year since RFJ requested this meeting following the publication of an open letter signed by 3,500 relatives of people killed during the conflict. This letter outlined their concern that the Stormont House Agreement must be implemented in full. The 3,500 signatories came from all communities and were affected by all actors to the conflict.
The delegation comprising of Mark Sykes, Shauna Quinn, sister of Dwayne O’Donnell killed by the UVF at Cappagh Co. Tyrone in 1991, RFJ Chairperson Emeritus Professor and author, Bill Rolston and RFJ CEO Mark Thompson, brother of Peter Thompson, killed by the British army in West Belfast in 1990.
Speaking in advance Mark Thompson said:
“We are pleased that this meeting is now happening, and An Taoiseach can meet us at this busy time. As a delegation representing the widest cross section of victims and survivors, we will be raising the need for the Irish Government to remain resolute in the face of British Government bad faith on the Stormont House Agreement. With good will every single victim, affected by all actors to the conflict could benefit from the Stormont House Agreement’s four strands. However, every single victim will be further disadvantaged by the unilateral British Government legacy proposals. The Irish Government’s active defence of the rights of victims and survivors is critical.
“This is a small delegation due to Covid restrictions, we could have brought hundreds of families to meet An Taoiseach. It is very fitting that the meeting is happening on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Ormeau Rd Bookies Atrocity and the publication of the Police Ombudsman’s report on 11 killings in the Ormeau Rd area, and we are pleased that Mark Sykes is able to join the delegation at this intense time for him.
“We will also be pleased to be meeting with the leader of the opposition Mary Lou McDonald TD while in Dublin.”
ENDS
Editor’s Notes: The delegation will be arriving at Government Buildings at 11.45am and will be available for comment immediately after the meeting
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