Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Sinn Féin will stop any attempts by the DUP to create a hierarchy of victims - Murphy

Published: 16 September, 2009

Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Conor Murphy has said that any attempts to create a hierarchy of victims by the DUP will be vetoed by Sinn Féin.

Mr Murphy said,

"Once again The DUP has indicated that they will attempt to bring a Bill to the Assembly which will seek to change the current inclusive legal definition of a victim. They hope to enshrine a hierarchy of victims in law.

"Sinn Féin will oppose this as it is totally unacceptable to us.

"The current classification came about after years of consultation and painstaking campaigning by victims' organisations with the support of Sinn Féin. Given the common view on this issue amongst those groups representing victims of British State violence I hope that the SDLP to join with us in blocking this offensive electioneering by the DUP.

Mr Murphy added that a Bill from the DUP on this issue would have nothing at all to do with the needs of victims.

"It is a cynical use of a very emotive issue in an attempt to stunt Jim Allister's electoral challenge from hard-line unionist voters"

"For too long the DUP has played party politics with this issue. Sinn Féin will not allow them to succeed in elevating one victim above another. We will block any attempt to go back down that road including introducing a Petition of Concern against the adoption of any such Bill in the Assembly."