Troubles Legacy Group For No 10

The findings of an important post-Troubles 'legacy' group are to be revealed within days.

However, the NI Consultative Group on the Past will first present PM Gordon Brown with their report on how they think the legacy of the decades of NI's Troubles should be tackled.

Report authors - Lord Eames and Denis Bradley - are scheduled to meet the Prime Minister at Downing Street today, (Thursday) and their report is due to be published next week.

However, it is understood the group will propose the creation of a Commission to examine unsolved murders during the 40-year conflict, but there are continued denials over speculation that any form of amnesty will be offered to paramilitaries who engage with the process.

For the past 18 months, the group has held consultation meetings across the province. The process was originally set up by the Government in 2007 as a means of dealing with the past in a conclusive manner.

Lord Eames and Denis Bradley are seasoned peacemakers.

Back in 2006, for example - when political division was heightened - Lord Eames, then the Church of Ireland Primate met with Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams.

It was the first time in which Mr Adams and Lord Eames publicly met – and it followed an equally historical meeting between then DUP Leader Ian Paisley and Catholic Church Primate, Archbishop Sean Brady.

Back then, Lord Eames called on the Northern Ireland politicians to 'show the courage' needed to secure a political breakthrough in the current political process.

Denis Bradley is a former Vice Chairman of the NI Policing Board and is a former priest.

In mid 2007 he was appointed co-Chairman, along with Robin Eames, of the Consultative Group on the Past in Northern Ireland.

See: Publication Date For Troubles Group Report Revealed

See: Gerry Adams meets with Lord Eames

(BMcC/JM)