OMAGH VICTIM SAYS EX-INMATES MAY JOIN POLICE
Omagh victim says ex-inmates may join police
By Michael McHugh
Ex-prisoners who are committed to peaceful means should be considered for membership of the new police force, a victim of the Omagh bomb today said.
Victor Barker, whose son James (12), was killed in the 1998 Real IRA Omagh bomb, said a final settlement of the policing issue could involve ex-paramilitaries if they prove that they have renounced violence.
The matter is highly contentious at present, with the DUP warning against Government side deals with Sinn Fein on policing and unionists resolutely opposed to ex-gunmen in police uniforms.
Mr Barker said the issue, which would be a bitter pill for many victims to swallow, would have to be confronted for the sake of the peace process but warned that rigorous checks needed to be carried out.
"As long as they are genuinely reformed paramilitaries and they are not involved in violence or crime they have to be given the benefit of forgiveness for what happened in the past," he said, making it clear that he was not referring to the still-active Real IRA.
"If they are committed to a peace process and the rule of law I can't see any reason why they should not be given the benefit of the doubt."
The Patten Report did not envisage any role for ex-prisoners in the new policing arrangements. The early release of prisoners has also proved an ordeal for many victims and the re-imprisonment of IRA Shankill bomber Sean Kelly earlier this summer after disturbances at the Tour of the North Orange parade has been cited as evidence of republicans' bad faith.
Mr Barker added: "I think it will be very difficult for someone to be able to say if any particular person is committed to peace and it must be particularly difficult to see people rehabilitated when they have not served their proper sentence.
"We have to try to accept it as a decision made for the broader good."
Fred Cobain, an Ulster Unionist member of the Policing Board, said ex-prisoners would never play a role in policing while his party was involved.
"My view is quite clear, that there are sufficient individuals in this community to ensure that we have a proper and balanced police service.
"There are innocent people who have been killed at the hands of these people and it makes them unfit to join the police force."
Former republican prisoners have warned that they will oppose any policing solution which doesn't include ex-paramilitaries.
Mike Ritchie from Coiste na-nlarchimi, a republican ex-prisoners' group, describes his members as "middle managers" in policing their communities and believes they are central to the policing question.
"They are respected in local communities and if we want a policing solution there is no question that ex-prisoners will have to play a role," he said.
Ex-prisoners were very important at each step of the peace process in terms of reassuring communities in republican areas.
By Michael McHugh
Ex-prisoners who are committed to peaceful means should be considered for membership of the new police force, a victim of the Omagh bomb today said.
Victor Barker, whose son James (12), was killed in the 1998 Real IRA Omagh bomb, said a final settlement of the policing issue could involve ex-paramilitaries if they prove that they have renounced violence.
The matter is highly contentious at present, with the DUP warning against Government side deals with Sinn Fein on policing and unionists resolutely opposed to ex-gunmen in police uniforms.
Mr Barker said the issue, which would be a bitter pill for many victims to swallow, would have to be confronted for the sake of the peace process but warned that rigorous checks needed to be carried out.
"As long as they are genuinely reformed paramilitaries and they are not involved in violence or crime they have to be given the benefit of forgiveness for what happened in the past," he said, making it clear that he was not referring to the still-active Real IRA.
"If they are committed to a peace process and the rule of law I can't see any reason why they should not be given the benefit of the doubt."
The Patten Report did not envisage any role for ex-prisoners in the new policing arrangements. The early release of prisoners has also proved an ordeal for many victims and the re-imprisonment of IRA Shankill bomber Sean Kelly earlier this summer after disturbances at the Tour of the North Orange parade has been cited as evidence of republicans' bad faith.
Mr Barker added: "I think it will be very difficult for someone to be able to say if any particular person is committed to peace and it must be particularly difficult to see people rehabilitated when they have not served their proper sentence.
"We have to try to accept it as a decision made for the broader good."
Fred Cobain, an Ulster Unionist member of the Policing Board, said ex-prisoners would never play a role in policing while his party was involved.
"My view is quite clear, that there are sufficient individuals in this community to ensure that we have a proper and balanced police service.
"There are innocent people who have been killed at the hands of these people and it makes them unfit to join the police force."
Former republican prisoners have warned that they will oppose any policing solution which doesn't include ex-paramilitaries.
Mike Ritchie from Coiste na-nlarchimi, a republican ex-prisoners' group, describes his members as "middle managers" in policing their communities and believes they are central to the policing question.
"They are respected in local communities and if we want a policing solution there is no question that ex-prisoners will have to play a role," he said.
Ex-prisoners were very important at each step of the peace process in terms of reassuring communities in republican areas.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0979
Published Date: 14-Sep-05
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