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New fund for victims is advocated New fund for victims is advocated
(about 6 hours later)
A report by the former interim victims commissioner has recommended the Memorial Fund for victims be phased out.A report by the former interim victims commissioner has recommended the Memorial Fund for victims be phased out.
Bertha McDougal said it should be replaced by a more flexible fund, to be allocated £8m in the first year. Bertha McDougall said it should be replaced by a more flexible fund, to be allocated £8m in the first year.
She said a more co-ordinated approach was needed and suggested consideration be given to setting up a fund for UDR families similar to the police fund.She said a more co-ordinated approach was needed and suggested consideration be given to setting up a fund for UDR families similar to the police fund.
She also recommended more compensation for those bereaved before 1988.She also recommended more compensation for those bereaved before 1988.
Spouses bereaved before that year should receive an annual payment of £2,000, she said.Spouses bereaved before that year should receive an annual payment of £2,000, she said.
Previous changes to the law made special financial allowance for those affected by the Troubles after 1988.Previous changes to the law made special financial allowance for those affected by the Troubles after 1988.
Mrs McDougal also advocated establishing a victims' forum highlighting issues of concern and a role for their representatives on bodies responsible for community planning when local government reforms come into effect in 2009. Mrs McDougall also advocated establishing a victims' forum highlighting issues of concern and a role for their representatives on bodies responsible for community planning when local government reforms come into effect in 2009.
The real cost needs to be considered within the context of human suffering and the physical, emotional and psychological trauma inflicted on individuals and society as a whole Bertha McDougal The real cost needs to be considered within the context of human suffering and the physical, emotional and psychological trauma inflicted on individuals and society as a whole Bertha McDougall
She also criticised the government's "fragmented" approach to helping those suffering from trauma, and said the methods of delivering services were too complex.She also criticised the government's "fragmented" approach to helping those suffering from trauma, and said the methods of delivering services were too complex.
"It is neither fair nor accurate to measure the cost of the Troubles in purely financial terms whether it be funding or service provision," she said."It is neither fair nor accurate to measure the cost of the Troubles in purely financial terms whether it be funding or service provision," she said.
"The real cost needs to be considered within the context of human suffering and the physical, emotional and psychological trauma inflicted on individuals and society as a whole."The real cost needs to be considered within the context of human suffering and the physical, emotional and psychological trauma inflicted on individuals and society as a whole.
"Better definition and identification of need coupled with co-ordinated implementation of services and appropriate funding is at the core of my recommendations.""Better definition and identification of need coupled with co-ordinated implementation of services and appropriate funding is at the core of my recommendations."
Relatives for Justice, a group which represents families of people killed by the security forces or loyalists, criticised the report.
The group, which launched a High Court challenge to Mrs McDougall's appointment, described her recommendation for a fund for UDR widows as "offensive".
Spokesman Mark Thompson said: "Bertha McDougall has managed to display complete insensitivity towards those people who have been affected by state violence, particularly those people affected by the RIR and the UDR.
"This is a sectarian militia. It has a long history of involvement in sectarian murders and collusion."
Mark Kelly was one of those who met Mrs McDougall as she prepared her report.Mark Kelly was one of those who met Mrs McDougall as she prepared her report.
He lost both legs in a UVF bomb attack in Glengormley in 1976.He lost both legs in a UVF bomb attack in Glengormley in 1976.
"I have often said I don't consider myself a victim. Those who sadly lost their lives are the true victims, but certainly I would feel that, in some way, the system victimised us again in not being prepared to cope with our needs in a real way," he said."I have often said I don't consider myself a victim. Those who sadly lost their lives are the true victims, but certainly I would feel that, in some way, the system victimised us again in not being prepared to cope with our needs in a real way," he said.
"But as a society we all grow and there's the need to change and I think this particular report is a part of the reconciliation process.""But as a society we all grow and there's the need to change and I think this particular report is a part of the reconciliation process."
Mrs McDougall's term of office is over and her report is now being made public.Mrs McDougall's term of office is over and her report is now being made public.
Following a high court ruling that the manner of the appointment was unlawful, she has been permitted to publish her report in a personal capacity.Following a high court ruling that the manner of the appointment was unlawful, she has been permitted to publish her report in a personal capacity.
Mrs McDougal's husband, a police reservist, was murdered by the INLA in 1981. Mrs McDougall's husband, a police reservist, was murdered by the INLA in 1981.