Former Archbishop to lead 'Troubles' group

The former Archbishop of Armagh is to lead an independent consultative group to deal with the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Lord Eames, who retired as Archbishop of Armagh six months ago will, chair the group, and Denis Bradley, who was Vice Chairman of the Policing Board will act as co-chair.

Secretary of State Peter Hain who announced the formation of group said: “The Government cannot tell the people of Northern Ireland how they should deal with the past – only the people themselves can try to answer that question.

“This consultative group provides a platform for people to express their own views on how to address the violent legacy of the Troubles which impacted on so many across all sections of society.”

Other members of the group include former GAA captain of Armagh Jarlath Burns, Presbyterian Minister Rev Lesley Carroll and the former captain of the British and Irish Lions rugby team.

Lord Eames said: “How Northern Ireland deals with its collective memory will have a tremendous influence on the Northern Ireland of the future, because it is sapping away at many, many reasonable initiatives.

“It is sapping away at ordinary people’s lives.”

He also said they had been given a guarantee of total independence and among the things they would do would be review much of the work from the past carried out by the government and non-government groups.

Co-chair Denis Bradley said he believed it was right to consult relatives of victims.

“You cannot resolve somebody’s death, they are dead and there is grief and there is hurt and that will be there forever,” he said.

“But it’s decent sometimes to ask, what do you think?”

(JM)