North’s parties called to heal old wounds

THE North’s political parties were last night challenged to back unprecedented proposals aimed at healing the sectarian wounds left after decades of violence.

The British and Irish governments promised to carefully consider the £300 million (€325m) plan to tackle the legacy of the Troubles, investigate its murders and battle sectarianism.

But last night the men behind the blueprint pressed political parties in Belfast to support their plan, despite angry protests from victims opposed to the controversial proposal that all those bereaved — including the relatives of dead paramilitaries — receive a £12,000 (€12,977) payment.

Robin Eames and Denis Bradley — closely associated with the search for peace and who led the Consultative Group on the Past — said they were trying to deal with the legacy of a conflict that could be charted back to 40, or even 400 years.

The British government commissioned the report in the face of the soaring cost of inquiries into the past and fears that deep divisions in society would poison the future.

Mr Bradley warned: “Our two governments are very conscious of the DUP and Sinn Féin at this moment in time, because they want to keep the (power-sharing) agreement (at Stormont) going.

“If these two parties turn their back, then that will influence government. I would say to them: What’s your alternative?”

The group’s report was launched yesterday in Belfast, but victims of Republican violence waved placards at the event and shouted slogans condemning the plan — sparking shouts from nationalists whose loved ones were killed by security forces.

Mr Bradley said yesterday’s angry scenes underlined the need to heal the open wounds.

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin said the Irish Government welcomed the report and would consider its recommendations very carefully.

He said: “The overarching idea is to create a scenario where one can develop genuine reconciliation on the ground.”