The south Armagh-based victims' group, Families Acting for Innocent Relatives held its first conference in Portadown yesterday.
The conference, Voice of the Forgotten Victims, was attended by many of Northern Ireland's politicians including the DUP leader, Dr Ian Paisley, Ulster Unionist MPs Mr John Taylor, the Rev Martin Smith and Mr Willie Ross. The audience included the victims of terrorist attacks on both sides of the Border. Among those present was Ms Una Heaton, sister-in-law of murdered Garda officer, Mr Jerry McCabe.
Before the conference got under way members of FAIR paid tribute to Ms Maureen Kearney, who died on Sunday. Ms Kearney, whose son John was murdered by the IRA last year, had been due to speak at yesterday's conference. Prayers were also said for all of the victims of the Troubles.
Among the speakers was the Conservative MP for Basingstoke, Mr Andrew Hunter, who delivered a message from IRA informer Martin McGartland who recently survived an attempt on his life at his home in England.
Mr McGartland had also been due to speak in Portadown yesterday but was unable to fulfil the commitment due to "unforeseen circumstances".
However, his message included an invitation to the Northern Secretary Dr Mo Mowlam to visit him "and look at the holes in my body".
"Those holes," said Mr McGartland, "are a result of the IRA ceasefire."
FAIR spokesman, Mr Brian McConnell, criticised the British government, highlighting what he claimed was a "complete breakdown in law and order" in the North.
Mr McConnell continued: "The government has shown a green card to the latest murders and to all the murders in here over the last 30 years. In order to move forward we have got to accept the past. At present, the way this government is treating the people, they are not allowing them to accept the past."