Albert Reynolds to join victims of British State violence

Press release: April 15th 2005

Albert Reynolds to join victims of British State violence

Former Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, will attend a press conference
with Relatives for Justice at the Europa Hotel Belfast on Monday 18th
April at 11:00am to publicly launch a conference programme on State
Violence – State the Truth by Relatives for Justice to be held on
Saturday April 30th.

Speaking in advance of the press launch on Monday morning setting out
the conference programme of April 30th Relatives for Justice Director
Mark Thompson said:

‘We are delighted that the former Taoiseach is launching our
pre-conference publicity. This is a great boost for the hundreds of
families affected by British State violence.

‘As former Taoiseach Mr. Reynolds played a central role in the creation
of the peace process and as such is acutely aware of the necessity to
also resolve the many instances in which the British State took life and
in which collusion existed.

‘These human rights issues continue to lie at the heart of building
peace, creating trust and confidence, and importantly delivering truth
and justice. However, persistent barriers like the deliberate stalling
of inquests, the recent Inquiries Bill, the failure to make the office
of the DPP accountable, and the failure of the British Government to
cooperate with the Barron Inquiry into Dublin/Monaghan bombings, are not
acceptable – especially as it was over a decade ago that Albert
Reynolds, as Taoiseach, laid the foundations for a lasting peace with
truth and justice.

‘It’s time for the truth. The British Government is using its
sovereignty as a shield to prevent the truth from emerging. The British
Government must stop the business of denying its central role in the
conflict. Attempting to silence the voices of hundreds of families
bereaved and injured by its forces, and its allies in loyalist
paramilitaries will not succeed.

‘Mr. Reynolds’ support for our conference on April 30th is an
endorsement of our commitment to ensuring that human rights violations
committed by the British Government over three decades will be
addressed.’

Editors notes;

Albert Reynolds will be joined at the press conference by lawyer John
Finucane, son of Pat Finucane, Paul McIlwaine father of Portadown
teenager David McIlwaine killed in Tandragee in 2000 by the UVF, Caoimhe
Hanna sister of Kevin O’Donnell killed in Coalisland in 1992 by the SAS,
and Relatives for Justice Chairperson Clara Reilly.

Many other families affected by state violence and collusion will attend
the press conference.

ENDS