Relatives of Troubles victims call for answers

Relatives of some of those killed during Northern Ireland's Troubles today called for answers from the groups who targeted them…

Relatives of some of those killed during Northern Ireland's Troubles today called for answers from the groups who targeted them to help them through a "collective grieving process".

Launching a consultation paper on "truth mechanisms" members of victims groups and ex-republican prisoners spoke of their need for help in establishing why they were targeted.

The launch of the document, at the Linenhall Library, Belfast, marks the beginning of a six month consultation process during which the various groups and individuals involved hope to develop an official truth process.

It is aimed at establishing an independent panel or commission based on one of three possible models.

READ MORE

Victims have to submit requests for an investigation into a death, injury or house raid and the panel would publish public reports on the outcome.

Mr Mark Thompson from Relatives for Justice said the project was to help victims through a collective healing process.

"It's about asking why rather than naming names," he said.

"Groups should answer for what they asked individuals to do and take collective responsibility."

He acknowledged that the process relied on voluntary engagement and representatives would be needed from all groups if conclusions were to be reached.

Mr Jim Clinton (42) whose wife Theresa was murdered by loyalists in 1994 while he and their two daughters were asleep in the house in south Belfast, said that there were still numerous questions he needed answered.

He claims she was killed because he stood for Sinn Féin elections five years earlier.

"But why was the house attacked? Why why Theresa singled out? I need to know," he added.

PA