Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn
Speaking in the Dáil today on the issue of British collusion with loyalist paramilitaries leading to the deaths of hundreds of people in the north, Sinn Féin TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn stated that the government has a moral and constitutional responsibility to address the brutal legacy of the British Government’s collusion policy.
Teachta Mac Lochlainn said:
“For families who have been victims of collusion, the past 12 months have been very difficult. They have had long court battles, and the truth is finally starting to come out. Recent publications and documentaries have exposed the scale of collusion between British State forces and unionist paramilitaries.
“There was much debate on Monday night during the PrimeTime documentary on whether collusion was in fact ‘systemic’. Let us be clear. There is no doubt that collusion was systemic.
“Collusion was a deliberate policy that was designed to use unionist paramilitaries as a method of killing Irish citizens or, indeed, anyone who got in their way — those in opposition to the state. There was a particular focus on Irish republicans and nationalists.
“I reiterate what my Sinn Féin colleagues in the Assembly said on Monday in paying tribute to the families who suffered as a result of this collusion. The relentless work of these families and advocacy groups to expose the extent of the collusion and the subsequent cover ups is tremendous.
“In particular, I would like to draw attention to the work of Eddie Fullerton’s family. Eddie was a victim of collusion between the British state and the UDA. The Fullerton family has demonstrated remarkable courage and huge dignity. Despite the deep hurt caused to the family by the events that occurred and the dismissive attitudes of state authorities during that period, they have been relentless in their campaign for the truth.
“The Irish Government now has a moral and constitutional responsibility to finally and fully address the brutal legacy of the British Government’s collusion policy.” ENDS
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