Dithering over Troubles legacy is costing us millions
Five months ago Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland secretary, pledged to repeal the controversial Legacy Act, which sought to bring an end to all Troubles-era legal actions. Since then there has been foot-dragging. Perhaps Benn's officials are busy drawing up a clause to prevent the likes of Gerry Adams and other republicans from claiming compensation for being interned without trial in the 1970s.
Whatever the reason, the issue of how to deal with the legacy of the Troubles festers: more than 1,000 unsolved and unexplained murders; allegations of torture; claims of collusion between terrorists and security agencies; multiple cover-ups.
This was all considered too tricky at the time of the Good Friday agreement and has been kicked into the long grass ever since. The failure
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Times
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Dithering over Troubles legacy is costing us millions
Five months ago Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland secretary, pledged to repeal the controversial Legacy Act, which sought to bring an end to all Troubles-era legal actions. Since then there has been foot-dragging. Perhaps Benn's officials are busy drawing up a clause to prevent the likes of Gerry Adams and other republicans from claiming compensation for being interned without trial in the 1970s. Whatever the reason, the issue of how to deal with the legacy of the Troubles festers: more than 1,000 unsolved and unexplained murders; allegations of torture; claims of collusion between terrorists and security agencies; multiple cover-ups. This was all considered too tricky at the time of the Good Friday agreement and has been kicked into the long grass ever since. The failure
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24-04-2025
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JD Vance makes tribute to Pope all about himself as he brags he was 'the last one to see him alive'
Vice President JD Vance said it is "pretty crazy" that he was one of the last people who met Pope Francis before the pontiff passed away at the age of 88 on Monday at his residence in the Vatican. Vance, a Catholic convert, spent Easter weekend in Rome with his family. He attended Good Friday services in St. Peter's Basilica after meeting with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni on Friday. He met the Pope on Easter Sunday, a day before Francis' death, amid their ongoing feud that began when the Pope condemned the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. Read More Related Articles Donald Trump branded 'dumbest President ever' after six-word comment about Congo Read More Related Articles White House branded 'narcissistic' after brief 5-word tribute to Pope JD Vance said it is "pretty crazy" that he saw Pope Francis right before his death (Image: Getty Images) Reporters asked Vance about his experience during his trip to India. "Yeah, you know, I've thought a lot about that. I mean, it's pretty crazy, actually," Vance mused. "And obviously, when I saw him, I didn't know that he had less than 24 hours still on this earth," Vance added. Vance said it was a "great blessing" to meet the Pope. "I think it was a great blessing. But, you know, he saw a lot of people. I think he affected a lot of lives. And I try to just remember that I was lucky that I got to shake his hand and tell him that I pray for him every day because I did and I do," he told reporters. Following Francis' death, Vance has found himself at the receiving end of online jokes. On Easter Sunday, Vance was scheduled to meet with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Later, around 11:30 a.m., he met the Pope for a few minutes in a hotel reception room where the Pope was staying while recovering from pneumonia. "I know you've not been feeling well, but it's good to see you in better health," Vance told the Pope, as seen in a video clip. The Pope , 88, offered the VP three large chocolate Easter eggs for the Vance children, a Vatican tie, and rosaries. The exchange lasted a few minutes, during which Vance thanked the Pope for seeing him and exchanged Easter greetings. The duo has publicly disagreed in the past over a multitude of issues, primarily the immigration crisis. Pope Francis was sharply critical of the sweeping immigration crackdown by President Donald Trump's officials. He wrote a letter to U.S. bishops in February, warning that the forceful removal of migrants deprives them of their inherent dignity and 'will end badly.' A day after their meeting, Vance took to X to offer his condolences. "I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I'll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul," posted the vice president. For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .
