Draft HET report into Narrow Water massacre ‘disrespectful and unacceptable’

An incomplete legacy report into the PIRA massacre at Narrow Water in 1979 has been described as a ‘disrespectful and unacceptable piece of work’ by the family of one of the eighteen murdered soldiers.

The investigation was begun by the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) nine years ago, but was never completed.

HET’s successor, the PSNI Legacy Investigation Branch (LIB), has handed over the draft report which does not appear to shed any new light on the terrorist ambush.

Human rights body, Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW) represents the family of one soldier murdered in the PIRA’s deadliest attack on the Army.

UHRW’s Advocacy Support Worker, Jonathan Larner, said: “The family feels let down and badly treated by the HET. Now LIB have handed over a forty-four-page unfinished report that essentially ‘whitewashes’ the investigative failings of An Garda Siochana, dismissing allegations of collusion.

“It was only released because of the pressure that has been applied by Ulster Human Rights Watch and the Veterans’ Commissioner, Danny Kinahan. It is incomplete and leaves many questions unanswered.

The family of the murdered soldier doesn’t want to be identified, but in a statement provided to UHRW, a brother described the partial report as falling far short of their expectations.

The brother said: “We’d hoped to get some closure, some answers to questions we’ve had for more than forty years. This isn’t the way victims should be treated. We lost a loved one and all we can get after nearly eight years is an unfinished report. Without the support of Ulster Human Rights Watch I’m sure we would still be ignored. It’s an insult and a travesty.

“The Draft report says that that the HET review was complete. What we want is for this report to be completed, and for the outstanding questions around the Gardai investigation to be fairly addressed.

“This is no way to conduct legacy investigations and certainly no way to treat relatives.

“They must re-think their whole approach and made it more victim-centred and meaningful.”

Veterans’ Commissioner, Danny Kinahan, said: “This incomplete draft report is a disappointment to relatives and I will use my position to press for answers and for this process to be brought to a satisfactory conclusion by LIB. It is the very least that the families of those soldiers murdered at Narrow Water deserve. I will also continue to engage with LIB on behalf of other families who are still awaiting a completed report.”

Public Prosecution Service should carry out a review of its policies

Following collapse of the prosecution of two soldiers, Ulster Human Rights Watch is calling on the Public Prosecution Service to carry out a review of its policies.

UHRW Advocacy Manager, Axel Schmidt, said, “This review should be carried out so that cases which have no prospect of success are not pursued and the hopes of families of those who died while involved in terrorism are not raised and then dashed.”

Yesterday, UHRW met with met Danny Kinahan, Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland and John Mercer MP, former UK Minister for Veterans. The discussion considered how best to deal with the prosecution of soldiers in historical cases related to the Troubles.

Mr Schmidt commented “It was made clear that former soldiers do not want an amnesty. Their duty was to protect democracy and law-abiding people’s human rights against the onslaught of terrorist activities, while acting within the law at all times. Equality for all before the law remains paramount.

“Due to the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland during the Troubles, the procedures put in place to investigate incidents involving the army do not meet with the legal standards for successful prosecutions today.

“There is now much work to be done to ensure that the mechanisms for dealing with the legacy of the past facilitate the recovery of information, so that they give a true picture of what the fight against terrorism meant for those whose duty was to protect fundamental freedoms and human rights in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.”

Victims’ Payment Scheme detail needed now

Human rights charity, Ulster Human Rights Watch, is calling for more information about the Victims’ Payment Scheme.

UHRW Advocacy Manager, Axel Schmidt, said, “On the Victims’ Payment Scheme, Mr Justice McAlinden has stated that it is his ‘intention to open the scheme on 30 June 2021’. We welcome this and sincerely hope that this timeline will be adhered to.

“However, victims who have endured such a prolonged wait still need more details. How do they apply? How are the assessments to be made? And, when will the first payments be made?

“If the scheme is to be open in a little over 8 weeks, surely this information is available and should be made public as soon as possible.

“The innocent victims and the families we represent have suffered for so long with each delay in the implementation of the Victims’ Payment Scheme. They need to be treated with the utmost respect and dignity, and we hope that the parameters and implementation of the scheme will do that.”

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