Troubles families urge Sunak to scrap new Bill

THE families of two Troubles victims have joined forces to urge the Prime Minister to “scrap” its new Legacy Bill.

In a letter sent to Rishi Sunak today, before the Bill’s second reading in the Lords this afternoon, the families of Majella O’hare, 12, and Army Pte Tony Harrison, 21, have warned that the proposal “protects the perpetrators of serious crimes rather than those who suffered at their hands”.

They added that if the Government goes ahead with this proposal it will mean any “meaningful truth, accountability or justice will be cruelly taken away from us”.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill is expected to bring an end to the prosecution of retired soldiers over deaths during the conflict.

However, it will also give an effective immunity to terror suspects on both sides provided they co-operate.

In August 1976, Majella O’hare was on her way to church in the Armagh village of Whitecross when she was killed by two shots fired from a British soldier’s gun.

Pte Harrison was murdered by the IRA while off duty and visiting his fiancée in Belfast. A double-agent working for the IRA and the RUC admitted involvement.