Bereaved UDR families opposed to amnesty plans

FAMILIES of UDR servicemen and women across the North who lost their loved ones as a result of terrorism will gather in a Tyrone hotel this Thursday to make clear their opposition to the British government’s plans to introduce a statute of limitations for Troubles-related prosecutions.

The ‘Standing By and For Justice – The UDR Family’ event will be held at Corick House, Clogher on Thursday morning. Victims’ group, South East Fermanagh Foundation, is organising it after being approached by UDR families across Northern Ireland.

The purpose of the event is to provide UDR families who were bereaved of a loved one as a result of terrorism, the opportunity to make their position clear in terms of the UK government’s proposals.

SEFF director of services, Kenny Donaldson, said, “The UDR family has expressed a wish to speak out on these matters and we are facilitating such an opportunity. We want to see the UDR family come out in force and stand as one against this ill-conceived legacy proposal, but also to stand up for and by the name of a regiment which contributed much in bringing about the peace – however imperfect – that we have in Northern Ireland today.

Mr Donaldson added, “You may ask why Clogher and why Tyrone? Simply because south Tyrone is the middle of Northern Ireland and most UDR personnel who were murdered were from Tyrone. Let’s come together in unity to send out the message that the proposed Statute of Limitation /Amnesty is not in your name, it does not have your consent or support.”