Calls for RIR widows fund review

Ulster Unionist Fermanagh & South Tyrone assembly member, Tom Elliott, has called on the government to urgently review its decision not to award extra funding to the widows of UDR and RIR soldiers killed during Northern Ireland's 'Troubles'.

The Government confirmed earlier this week that no extra fund would be set up for widows and relatives of UDR and RIR soldiers as they were already well cared for and that their current benefits were similar to those paid by police.

However, in a statement, Mr Elliott, who served for almost 20 years in the UDR, said he was "absolutely disgusted" at the government’s decision and its handling of the issue.

"These families do not deserve such shabby treatment from their government," the MLA said.

“The UDR and RIR Home Battalions were unique among British army regiments in so much as they were expected to police the communities in which they lived. These soldiers could not return to the relative safety of the barracks at the end of their shift - nor could they be rotated out of harm’s way.

“The families of the men and women who gave their lives to protect their communities should expect sympathy and consideration. I am calling on the Ministry of Defence to urgently overturn this callous and appalling decision, and to take immediate steps to establish a widows fund.”

The Ministry of Defence said benevolent funds were in place in both regiments to aid individual cases of hardship.

The Royal Irish Regiment was formed in 1992, with the merger of the Royal Irish Rangers and the Ulster Defence Regiment.

(MB/SP)