Yesterday, the Consultative Group on the Past in Northern Ireland made very sober recommendations on what to do about the legacy of the Troubles — and one whopping mistake: a pay out of £ 12,000 (about $17,000) to the families of everyone killed — including the paramilitaries on both sides who themselves murdered the innocent.
Predictably, families of civilians killed were outraged. Some came to the launch of the Commission’s report with posters saying “The Wages of Murder is £12,000,” according to the Guardian. Click here for some moving footage of protesting family members.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams was there and took it all in impassively. He has also been implicated in the planning of attacks that resulted in innocent people being killed.
There had to be a better way to arrange for compensation. And the way this was presented eclipsed the 30 other recommendations made to the British and Northen Irish governments.
The commission’s full report is available here.