Murder victim's son dies of cancer without abuse redress

By David Hunter

The son of IRA murder victim, Jean McConville, has died of cancer.

Billy McConville spent his final days in the Northern Ireland Hospice after appealing to politicians to get redress for institutional child abuse victims.

The father of four was abused in a care home after he was orphaned in 1972.

His funeral will take place on Wednesday in Belfast at St Paul's Church on the Falls Road.

So sad to hear of Billy McConvilles passing earlier this morning! Thoughts are with Family and Friends. Rest in Peace! SAVIA! ❤️

— S.A.V.I.A (@SAVIA_NI) July 23, 2017

Mr McConville's mother, Jean, was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by the IRA becoming one of Northern Ireland's so called 'Disappeared'.

The mother of ten was one of sixteen people abducted and secretly buried by republicans during the troubles.

Billy McConville, who claimed to have been abused at Rubane House in Co Down, spoke out earlier this year on his death bed. 

In an interview with the Irish News he said he wanted to highlight to politicians how important it was that other victims of abuse were given redress. 

Sir Anthony Hart made a number of recommendations in his role as chair of the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry.

He said victims should be offered a state apology for failings in their care, a monument in the grounds of Parliament Buildings at Stormont, and a tax-free compensation payment ranging from £7,500 to £100,000.

So sad to hear Billy McConville has died he bravely spoke to me a few weeks ago to highlight the plight of victims, thoughts with his family

— Allison Morris (@AllisonMorris1) July 23, 2017