Victims and Survivors of Terrorism talk with Scottish Parliament members

by Gráinne Connolly

South East Fermanagh Foundation took over 40 victims and survivors of terrorism to visit Edinburgh for a good practice visit. 

They toured the Scottish Parliament where they held a presentation-based meeting with Tom Arthur MSP for Renfrewshire South (Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice). 

(the group that made the trip to Scotland pictured with Tom Arthur)

Director of services for the foundation, Kenny Donaldson released a statement:

"Over the weekend we brought together well over 40 innocent victims and survivors of terrorism who came from all parts of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, Protestant and Roman Catholic, Unionist and Nationalist - their common bond was and is 'innocence". 

Throughout their presentation with Tom Arthur, they discussed a number of issues. 

That being,the plight of war widows who have remarried and had their pensions taken away from them, the three Scottish soldiers and services for victims and survivors living in Scotland. 

Kenny Donaldson said:

"We found Mr Arthur to be empathetic and engaging with our group which included a number of Scottish families. He unreservedly apologised to our group for the harm caused by Mr Mason" - (A member of the Scottish National Party who recently described the IRA's campaign of violence as being that of 'freedom fighters'). 

Tom Arthur and the Scottish National Party agreed in a previous meeting they were committed to working on the area's that were recently discussed. 

"he also committed to speaking to colleagues around how the Scottish Government could do more in standing by and with the families of The Three Scottish soldiers and others impacted by Northern Ireland-related terrorism".

South East Fermanagh Foundation also visited The Royal Yacht Britannia and Edinburgh Castle during their time in Scotland.