FATHER OF UVF MURDER VICTIM: “I WON’T GIVE THEM AN AMNESTY”

Posted By: July 17, 2021

 Mark Rainey. News Letter. Belfast. Friday, July 16, 2021

         Raymond McCord, Sr. Photo: Colm Lenaghan /Pacemaker

Raymond McCord, whose son Raymond, Jr. was murdered by the UVF in 1997, and Billy McManus, the son of Willie McManus was murdered on Belfast’s Ormeau Road by the UDA in 1992, will also hand deliver a letter of protest to Downing Street on Tuesday.

Mr. McCord said his barrister has already begun preparing papers for a court challenge to the new legislation designed to “draw a line” under the Northern Ireland conflict.

“The state might give an amnesty to the people who murdered my son, but I won’t give them an amnesty,” he said.

“When I heard what they were planning I was disgusted.

“I never dreamt they would go so far – to stop all prosecutions, to stop inquests, to stop the [police] ombudsman investigating, and stopping civil actions.”

Mr. McCord said he hopes to be in Downing Street with his letter of protest around 1pm on Tuesday.

“This is very much a cross-community initiative. It’s not driven by an agenda from either unionists or nationalists,” he said.

“This is for all victims, and it is symbolic, and that is why we decided to do it.

“It will be interesting to see how many political leaders contact one of us, or both of us, to offer support or to come and stand with us in Downing Street.

“All our political parties need to have a hard look at themselves.

“What have they done from victims, from 1969 up until now?

“I can’t think of one thing,” Mr. McCord added.