Survey says 75% would support scheme for Troubles victims in Republic of Ireland

Around one in 10 people in the Republic of Ireland could define themselves a victim of the Troubles, a report carried out on behalf of the Commission for Victims and Survivors in Northern Ireland (CVSNI) has found.

The findings show that 4% of Ireland’s population say they have been bereaved as a result of the Troubles, 7% say their mental health has been affected by a Troubles or conflict-related incident and 7% say they have been present at, or witnessed, a conflict-related incident.

Of those who said their mental or physical health has been affected by the Troubles, 62% say they continue to be affected.

The CVSNI worked with Social Market Research to replicate some of the questions of a previous survey of people in Northern Ireland in 2021.

NI Victims’ Commissioner Ian Jeffers said his office, which was set up in the years after the Good Friday Agreement to address the needs of those affected by the conflict, had initially been focused on Northern Ireland.

He added: “But hurt, loss, grief and the many other ways in which conflict has affected people’s lives knows no borders and so over the years, our work has evolved to give greater consideration to those victims and survivors outside Northern Ireland.

“This is the first time we’ve been able to gather some concrete data which I hope gives us the evidence base we need when engaging with relevant bodies in the south on how we can put measures in place to improve lives of people there who still bear the impacts of the Troubles today.”

The survey, published on Monday, also found that 82% of the population feel it is important to address the impact the Troubles have had within the Republic of Ireland and 79% believe victims there should have the same access to services and support as those in Northern Ireland.

Asked specifically about the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme, brought in by the UK Government and mainly accessible to victims and survivors in Britain and Northern Ireland, 75% of Ireland’s population said they are in support of the Government of Ireland implementing a similar scheme for the severely injured.

Mr Jeffers added: “The next step for us will be to look at how we share these findings in ROI so that they have a real impact on policies and decision-making for victims and survivors there.

“It comes at a critical time for victims and survivors as the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill proceeds from the UK Parliament to royal assent.

“From that point on, a fundamentally flawed Bill becomes law and so we all have a role to play in helping shape its outworkings to actually delver something of benefit for victims.

“I know that many people can be unwilling to wear the label of victim and that’s fine.

“But the figures in this survey can start to give us an idea of the extent of lives affected and whether we are meeting their needs.

“As we move into the lifetime of Northern Ireland’s new Strategy for Victims and Survivors, that is the part we need to focus on.

“If your mental health has been affected, if you lost a loved one, if you’re living with a long-term injury, for example – I want to help make sure your needs are being represented to policy makers, regardless of geography.”

South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) provides services to victims of Troubles related violence throughout Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, and mainland UK.

SEFF’s director Kenny Donaldson said the report was an “important watershed” and called for the Irish government to establish an action plan to provide support services and establish victim and survivor issues within policy.

“For almost 15 years we have campaigned vigorously on behalf of peripheral-based victims/survivors of The Troubles and after significant years of lobbying we were able to finally position personnel in the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain to drive forward the agenda of victims/survivors located within these jurisdictions,” he said.

“At the beginning of the journey there were few prepared to make that stand with us but thankfully in more recent years a new approach and willingness has evolved, finally people are understanding that no victim/survivor should be further victimised through postcode lottery; all should have equal access to the necessary support services and interventions needed.

“We have worked with the Commission for Victims and Survivors in enabling them to directly engage with victims/survivors located across the Republic of Ireland, and we have confidence that the current Commissioner understands the need for the southern political system to come up to the mark and provide for its citizens.”

Mr Donaldson said that to date the Irish government has not fully embraced legacy issues.

“It is absolutely shameful that in 2023 Governments are still failing victims and survivors, the lack of will in the Republic of Ireland to mirror the TPDPS/Victims Pension scheme, the arbitrary closing down of the Remembrance Commission which has debarred many victims and survivors from any meaningful form of acknowledgement/reparation is also unacceptable,” he said.

But beyond these matters of finance-related support, it is the refusal of the Irish State to fully embrace the problem and legacy of the Troubles that is most starkly felt.

“We have sought to build collaborative relationships with the Irish Government for well over a decade and there has been limited reciprocation of that goodwill, this must be transformed in the times ahead.

“Together we must do better for those living in the Republic of Ireland who have been adversely impacted by the Troubles.”