Northern Ireland legacy inquest
Deputy Daly raised Rosemary Campbell's search for truth about her husband's killing and the delayed inquest process. The Taoiseach stressed the importance of legacy issues, condemned killings by all sides, and said the Government is engaging with the UK over its legacy Act.
Rosemary Campbell is 88 years old. She is in failing health. She has been seeking truth and justice since 1977 when her husband, Joe Campbell of the RUC, was shot dead in Cushendall, County Antrim. Her family and I believe that elements of the security forces conspired with UVF killer Robin Jackson to kill her husband when he uncovered evidence of collusion with paramilitaries. The inquest has been put back until January and the PSNI is still not prepared. Forty boxes of material have been gathered. The coroner is now proposing a clinic for locals in Cushendall to come forward with information because the RUC did not interview people, even those who were first on the scene. Special branch at the time knew there was a threat to Mr. Campbell but did not tell him. The amnesty legislation in Britain should not pass. Amnesty International has urged the Irish Government to take the UK Government to the European Court of Human Rights if this amnesty Bill is passed. Will the Taoiseach commit to doing that?
Comment on this
Legacy is an extremely important issue for all victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and all of their families who seek redress. There is a responsibility on all of those who carried out murders on behalf of the state, the Provisional IRA, loyalists and paramilitaries and any issues of collusion should all be followed through and investigated. People should co-operate with agreed legacy agreements that are already in existence. We are opposed to the United Kingdom Government's Act in terms of legacy. We are engaging with the UK Government in respect of that Act. It is an issue that is under constant current consideration and all options are open.