West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Sinn Fein councillor supports Ballymurphy families campaign

Published: 27 January, 2010

Ballymurphy Sinn Fein councillor Maire Cush has commented on the meeting held on Tuesday evening, January 26, between the Ballymurphy massacre families and the two Victim's Commissioners.

Ms Cush, who attended the meeting in the Holiday Inn on Ormeau Avenue along with the Ballymurphy families and Andree Murphy from Relatives for Justice, said:

"I accompanied the Ballymurphy Massacre families to the meeting with two of the Victims Commissioners, Mike Nesbitt and Brendan McAllister.

"The families had met the Victims Commissioners previously and asked that the Victims Commissioners support their demands which are;

  • An independent, international inquiry

  • An acknowledgement from the British Government of what their army did

  • An apology from the British Government

"The Victims Commissioners tried to get the families to engage with the Historical Enquiries Team, and said that they had spoken to the HET about the case.

"The families had never asked the Victims Commissioners to engage with the HET on their behalf.

"The families were upset and angry at the conduct of the Victims Commissioners and, after consulting with each other, decided there was no point in carrying on with the meeting.

"Sinn Fein will continue to give our full support to the Ballymurphy families in their campaign for justice.

"They have brought their campaign across Ireland, Britain, Europe and beyond and the deserve to see their objectives met."