NEWLY appointed Prime Minister Keir Starmer may have his hands full since taking over the reigns at Downing Street on Friday, but bereaved families here in Fermanagh and across the North will be hoping he can make the time to fulfil his promise to repeal the controversial Legacy Act.
In the run up to last week’s election Prime Minister Starmer said his party was committed to repealing the Act, which would see an end to Troubles-related prosecutions and put an end to future inquests and families’ hope of finding the truth on how their loved ones died.
Indeed, in the Labour Party’s election manifesto it was stated, “The Legacy Act denies justice to the families and victims of the Troubles.
“Labour will repeal and replace it, by returning to the principles of the Stormont House Agreement, and seeking support from all communities in Northern Ireland.”
One of those families seeking truth here in Fermanagh are the relatives of 24-year-old Pettigo man Michael Leonard, who was shot in the back and killed while crossing the border at Brookhill, Letter in May 1974.
Following a hard-fought campaign, in May the Attorney General ordered a fresh inquest into Michael’s killing. However, just hours later the Act came into force, leaving the Leonard family devastated.
“This is bitter-sweet for Michael’s family as we have been granted a pathway to justice one day but the British state will steal that from us the next,” Michael’s cousin Fr Joe McVeigh said in May.
This week calls have been coming in from as far away as the US Congress for Prime Minister Starmer to keep to his party’s campaign promise.
The Pat Finucane Centre were among the first to make the call.
“Now is the time for Labour to live up to their manifesto promises and repeal the shameful ‘legacy act’. Labour have committed to reinstate legacy inquests and civil actions,” said a spokesman for the human rights advocacy group.
Amnesty International has also said repealing the Act should be a priority for the new government.
Across the Atlantic, Congressman Brendan Boyle has written to the new Prime Minister urging him to fulfil his promise to repeal and replace the Act.
Congressman Boyle – whose father hails from just across the border in Donegal – also wrote to his fellow members of the US Congress urging them to also write to Prime Minister Starmer on the issue, stating families were being denied justice by the Act.
“The Labour Party’s 2024 General Election manifesto acknowledges this damage and the disservice to victims and their families this law has caused,” he wrote. “Those who participated in violence during the Troubles must be held accountable.
“We urge your government to restore genuine paths to justice for the number of outstanding cases where evidence and potential criminal liability remain. Victims and their families, from all communities, still deserve justice.”
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere