Mental health risk for Ulster veterans

VETERANS of the Northern Ireland Troubles risk suffering severe psychological and physical damage after plans for an amnesty were scrapped, lawyers said last night.

The Government has launched a major £150million public consultation to investigate historic killings during the 30-year conflict. However, the Prime Minister has abandoned plans to give all troops an automatic amnesty for actions committed during the 1960s and 1970s.

Gary Boyd, of Gorvins solicitors in Manchester, said he had ‘deep concerns’ for the wellbeing of many ageing personnel who would be placed under enormous stress.