LETTER OF THE DAY: LEGACY ISSUES,

Without a truth recovery process we cannot build a hopeful future

THE call by former IRA member Brendan Hughes for the implementation of a truth forum (News, September 22) is to be welcomed.

As he says, “there will be no reconciliation until the truth is revealed” with regard to the Troubles and his offer — like that of other former combatants — should be given serious consideration.

While some victims and survivors have managed to achieve a measure of truth and justice through the courts, many others have not.

People have often been disappointed by the outcome of cases, even re-traumatised, and community tensions heightened.

Public acts of reconciliation by heads of state, political and Church leaders have achieved a great deal, as have commemorative programmes and, most importantly, the work of local groups within communities, but they have sustained a peace process, rather than delivered one based on reconciliation.

With former combatants, from all sides, willing to engage with victims and survivors in a properly structured truth recovery process willing to come forward, this option needs to be explored while there is still time.

The right of victims and survivors to seek justice through the courts should also be fully respected, but where they choose to pursue this alternative route to truth recovery they should be facilitated.

Blanket amnesties, such as those proposed by the British Government, are aimed at burying the past, not reconciling us with it.

A truth recovery process will be painful, but without a willingness to confront the past fully and honestly, we cannot hope to understand what happened, let alone address its legacy in ways that will provide more hopeful foundations for our futures.

PADRAIG YEATES

Secretary, Truth Recovery Process, Dublin