Statement by Raymond McCord after meeting of Sir Declan Morgan with Victims in Ulster University

IRISH CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING

Distributed to Congress by Irish National Caucus

Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

FOLLOW-UP STATEMENT BY RAYMOND MC CORD TO VICTIMS EVENT IN ULSTER UNIVERSITY ON TUESDAY MAY 28th, 2024

Yesterday's victims event at Ulster University was very worthwhile for the victims and I believe also for the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

 Sir Declan Morgan, the Chief Commissioner, explained what the Commissioner does.

I oppose the ICRIR because I don’t believe it will help victims in their quest for justice. No disclosure will be given to victims or their families. However, the police and ICRIR will see all disclosure documents on the murdered victims if the family engages with the ICRIR. To me, it’s a scenario of "we take your case, or it stops, and the police hold all disclosure documents."

My son, Raymond, Jr., and victims deserve better than that. I’ve found Sir Declan to be a humble man, but his humility will not get justice for young Raymond, the courts are the place for that. Once again, the British government has set up a mechanism that benefits the State —with the truth hidden in documents, only seen by the police and the body set up by the State, the ICRIR. That is not a process for justice, it’s another blockage of the truth and justice. I can’t and won’t support it.

Sir Declan saw first-hand the opposition to his Commission. Simply put, the government and the State agencies once again think of themselves, not the victims.

END