News Letter ✒ Trevor Ringland: All relatives of the Troubles dead deserve the same review that the Finucane family are going to get

His murder was brutal, criminal and wrong and all the more appalling as it was carried out in front of his wife and children leaving them scarred for life.

During those times those charged with serious offences were entitled in our democracy to legal representation and Pat Finucane was one of those but it did carry risk, as was also the case for prosecution lawyers, judges, police officers and others in the justice system.

I am also aware that some of Pat Finucane’s brothers were convicted of being in the IRA and supported its use of violence to promote a constitutional preference.

Pat Finucane was one of many assassinated in a similar manner often in front of their family.

If our society agreed that such murders were wrong and unjustified then dealing with “legacy” would be straightforward. However I feel there are two communities on this island. Those who argue the use of violence to promote a constitutional preference was justified and right and those who strongly disagree.

Continue reading @ News Letter.

All Relatives Of The Troubles Dead Deserve The Same

News Letter ✒ Trevor Ringland: All relatives of the Troubles dead deserve the same review that the Finucane family are going to get

His murder was brutal, criminal and wrong and all the more appalling as it was carried out in front of his wife and children leaving them scarred for life.

During those times those charged with serious offences were entitled in our democracy to legal representation and Pat Finucane was one of those but it did carry risk, as was also the case for prosecution lawyers, judges, police officers and others in the justice system.

I am also aware that some of Pat Finucane’s brothers were convicted of being in the IRA and supported its use of violence to promote a constitutional preference.

Pat Finucane was one of many assassinated in a similar manner often in front of their family.

If our society agreed that such murders were wrong and unjustified then dealing with “legacy” would be straightforward. However I feel there are two communities on this island. Those who argue the use of violence to promote a constitutional preference was justified and right and those who strongly disagree.

Continue reading @ News Letter.

3 comments:

  1. It is good to see that TR is engaging with the concept of equality but there was a time when he and his fellow unionists did not want to share anything with nationalists, including their legal system. During the course of the troubles the Unionists had a legal system designed just to please them, namely the Diplock System. How does Trevor suggest the damage caused by the inequality of that system be remedied?? The RUC played pivotal roll in the outcome of Diplock investigations. A few investigations into high profile cases such as the Finucane case go some way to remedy the earlier inequality and help restore confidence in the current system.

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    1. If we approach it in terms of rights then all people have the same. If we also approach it in terms of accountability the state not accepting that it is on a par with those who fought it, has to be held to a higher level. This is where Trevor's perspective starts to wobble. And the danger for it is that an equal rights for all victims can amount to an equal right for all to escape accountability. But why would Trevor want that if he believes the state is a better moral actor? That can only be demonstrated by the test of fire.

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  2. AM, His recent conversion to equality and shared space is selfserving. When former RUC members were paid millions in handshakes and sweeteners for being victims of the peace process, Trever was not calling for nationalist victims to be compensated.

    In reality Trever is not genuinely calling for equal treatment now I'd say his real intention is to shut down all investigations because they are not in the interests of many of his former security force member constituents.

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