Irish premier Micheal Martin has been pressed on Ireland's interstate case against the UK concerning legislation designed to address Northern Ireland's troubled past. The case, brought in 2023, challenges the previous UK government's controversial Legacy Act, claiming it breaches the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Political Reactions at Stormont
During a series of meetings at Parliament Buildings, Stormont on Thursday, Northern Ireland political parties raised the issue with the Taoiseach. Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald and First Minister Michelle O'Neill welcomed that the interstate case “remains live”.
Ms McDonald expressed concerns that the UK Government might “pander to” military veterans and “compromise the legacy framework”. She stated: “We have been given assurances that there will be absolute vigilance on the part of the Irish Government in that regard, and that the interstate case still remains live.”
She added: “We think it is very, very important that the British Government understand that they cannot, through a strategy of distraction or delay, undermine or walk away from the real need for effective and fully legally compliant legacy mechanisms. There cannot be an out for veterans who were involved in so many of the unlawful killings, so many of the incidents that happened here in the north.”
Ms O’Neill further noted: “We very much welcome the fact that Micheal Martin has restated that they maintain the ability to retake the interstate case if the British Government reneges on commitments that they’ve made in the framework. I think that is really important that they do not give any ground in that respect. We feel this is the last opportunity to get the legacy of the past dealt with in a way that can command maximum support, and it’s an opportunity not to be missed.”
DUP's Criticism
Mr Martin next met DUP leader Gavin Robinson and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly. Speaking to the media afterwards, Mr Robinson described the interstate case as a “disgrace” and called for its immediate withdrawal. He said: “It has always been a disgrace – I’ve indicated to you very clearly – an Irish Government that talks a lot about legacy but has delivered nothing for victims.” He added: “They continually ask a lot of others, but they fail time and time and time again.”
Mr Robinson noted that Mr Martin is someone his party can talk to frankly and honestly, but constructively, with much of their meeting concerning legacy. He voiced “continued disappointment in how they (Irish Government) talk about their legislation”, as well as their “willingness to engage with” the Omagh Bombing Inquiry, and the lack of a parallel inquiry in the Irish Republic. “The inquiry we have can only answer half of the questions that families have,” he concluded.
