Latest news with #McAlinden
Glasgow Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Definition of Troubles victim compensation scheme ‘very restrictive'
Mr Justice McAlinden, president of the Victims' Payment Board, described the definition of the current scheme as 'very restrictive'. He said he regrets that those who were bereaved in the Troubles are excluded from the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme. However he also said he 'utterly rejects' claims that going through the application process was 'dehumanising, cruel, re-traumatising and ritual humiliation'. 'That's not the scheme that I am administering, it's not features of the scheme that I accept or that I consider are appropriate comments in the context of this scheme,' he said. Appearing before the Stormont Executive Office committee Mr Justice McAlinden said it is a victim-centric scheme which tries to recognise the harm and hurt caused through the Troubles and provide financial support for those suffering from permanent disablement. The committee heard that so far £90 million has been paid out by the scheme, which has been open for applications since 2021, and is set to close to new applications in August 2026. Mr McAlinden said they have tried to extend the scheme. 'They are a section of those directly affected by the Troubles that are still left outside the scope of a bespoke scheme,' he said. 'A person is entitled to payments under the scheme if they suffer an inquiry which was caused by a Troubles-related incident when they are present at the Troubles-related incident or in the immediate aftermath. 'That is a very restrictive definition of entitlement… we've tried to extend that as far back as possible. President of the Victims' Payments Board Mr Justice McAlinden gives evidence to the Stormont Executive Office committee (NI Assembly/PA) 'What we are trying to do is stretch the boundaries of this limited scheme to ensure that the clear deficiency and deficit, the absence of a scheme bespoke for the bereaved, does not have a hard edged damaging impact as it otherwise would.' Mr Justice McAlinden also described the issues with the scheme as a 'microcosm' of the problems faced by Northern Ireland society as a whole. He invited Stormont politicians to come together and develop a 'more rounded scheme'. 'The whole issue of victimhood is a divisive issue within our society, and it is so divisive that the local elected representatives were unable to agree a scheme that facilitated all views in terms of victimhood,' he said. 'So we had Westminster take up the baton and in essence impose a scheme which I think no one is very happy with. 'We have quite a limited and narrow definition of a Troubles-related incident, and we have quite a limited and narrow definition of victimhood and we have the exclusion of the bereaved. 'Those are issues that locally this Executive, this Assembly could deal with if they could agree. If they could bring their heads together, they could reconstruct this scheme.' He went on to say he fully appreciates that paying money to someone who was injured as a result of involvement in an act of violence themselves 'retraumatises the innocent victims'. He said it is a 'really thorny issue' and challenged MLAs on the committee to use good will and their life experience to try to reach agreement. He added: 'This scheme is a microcosm of the problem that is societal. 'This scheme is a microcosm of the inability of people to recognise what went on in the past, recognise that there was fault on both sides, apologise and open up for the hurt and harm that they caused, and that's where I am very strongly of the view that this whole legacy process is so one-sided, because we have the state that has to open up, and we have the paramilitaries that are basically keeping shtum. 'That is unacceptable, if you want to move forward, everyone has to open up, everyone has to open the book, and everyone has to apologise sincerely for the harm and hurt that they caused. 'Now that's where this scheme attempts to give definition to the issue of reconciliation, because this scheme, even by its shortcomings, highlights the societal issues that we have to address as a society.'
Western Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Definition of Troubles victim compensation scheme ‘very restrictive'
Mr Justice McAlinden, president of the Victims' Payment Board, described the definition of the current scheme as 'very restrictive'. He said he regrets that those who were bereaved in the Troubles are excluded from the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme. However he also said he 'utterly rejects' claims that going through the application process was 'dehumanising, cruel, re-traumatising and ritual humiliation'. 'That's not the scheme that I am administering, it's not features of the scheme that I accept or that I consider are appropriate comments in the context of this scheme,' he said. Appearing before the Stormont Executive Office committee Mr Justice McAlinden said it is a victim-centric scheme which tries to recognise the harm and hurt caused through the Troubles and provide financial support for those suffering from permanent disablement. The committee heard that so far £90 million has been paid out by the scheme, which has been open for applications since 2021, and is set to close to new applications in August 2026. Mr McAlinden said they have tried to extend the scheme. 'They are a section of those directly affected by the Troubles that are still left outside the scope of a bespoke scheme,' he said. 'A person is entitled to payments under the scheme if they suffer an inquiry which was caused by a Troubles-related incident when they are present at the Troubles-related incident or in the immediate aftermath. 'That is a very restrictive definition of entitlement… we've tried to extend that as far back as possible. President of the Victims' Payments Board Mr Justice McAlinden gives evidence to the Stormont Executive Office committee (NI Assembly/PA) 'What we are trying to do is stretch the boundaries of this limited scheme to ensure that the clear deficiency and deficit, the absence of a scheme bespoke for the bereaved, does not have a hard edged damaging impact as it otherwise would.' Mr Justice McAlinden also described the issues with the scheme as a 'microcosm' of the problems faced by Northern Ireland society as a whole. He invited Stormont politicians to come together and develop a 'more rounded scheme'. 'The whole issue of victimhood is a divisive issue within our society, and it is so divisive that the local elected representatives were unable to agree a scheme that facilitated all views in terms of victimhood,' he said. 'So we had Westminster take up the baton and in essence impose a scheme which I think no one is very happy with. 'We have quite a limited and narrow definition of a Troubles-related incident, and we have quite a limited and narrow definition of victimhood and we have the exclusion of the bereaved. 'Those are issues that locally this Executive, this Assembly could deal with if they could agree. If they could bring their heads together, they could reconstruct this scheme.' He went on to say he fully appreciates that paying money to someone who was injured as a result of involvement in an act of violence themselves 'retraumatises the innocent victims'. He said it is a 'really thorny issue' and challenged MLAs on the committee to use good will and their life experience to try to reach agreement. He added: 'This scheme is a microcosm of the problem that is societal. 'This scheme is a microcosm of the inability of people to recognise what went on in the past, recognise that there was fault on both sides, apologise and open up for the hurt and harm that they caused, and that's where I am very strongly of the view that this whole legacy process is so one-sided, because we have the state that has to open up, and we have the paramilitaries that are basically keeping shtum. 'That is unacceptable, if you want to move forward, everyone has to open up, everyone has to open the book, and everyone has to apologise sincerely for the harm and hurt that they caused. 'Now that's where this scheme attempts to give definition to the issue of reconciliation, because this scheme, even by its shortcomings, highlights the societal issues that we have to address as a society.'
South Wales Guardian
14-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Definition of Troubles victim compensation scheme ‘very restrictive'
Mr Justice McAlinden, president of the Victims' Payment Board, described the definition of the current scheme as 'very restrictive'. He said he regrets that those who were bereaved in the Troubles are excluded from the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme. However he also said he 'utterly rejects' claims that going through the application process was 'dehumanising, cruel, re-traumatising and ritual humiliation'. 'That's not the scheme that I am administering, it's not features of the scheme that I accept or that I consider are appropriate comments in the context of this scheme,' he said. Appearing before the Stormont Executive Office committee Mr Justice McAlinden said it is a victim-centric scheme which tries to recognise the harm and hurt caused through the Troubles and provide financial support for those suffering from permanent disablement. The committee heard that so far £90 million has been paid out by the scheme, which has been open for applications since 2021, and is set to close to new applications in August 2026. Mr McAlinden said they have tried to extend the scheme. 'They are a section of those directly affected by the Troubles that are still left outside the scope of a bespoke scheme,' he said. 'A person is entitled to payments under the scheme if they suffer an inquiry which was caused by a Troubles-related incident when they are present at the Troubles-related incident or in the immediate aftermath. 'That is a very restrictive definition of entitlement… we've tried to extend that as far back as possible. 'What we are trying to do is stretch the boundaries of this limited scheme to ensure that the clear deficiency and deficit, the absence of a scheme bespoke for the bereaved, does not have a hard edged damaging impact as it otherwise would.' Mr Justice McAlinden also described the issues with the scheme as a 'microcosm' of the problems faced by Northern Ireland society as a whole. He invited Stormont politicians to come together and develop a 'more rounded scheme'. 'The whole issue of victimhood is a divisive issue within our society, and it is so divisive that the local elected representatives were unable to agree a scheme that facilitated all views in terms of victimhood,' he said. 'So we had Westminster take up the baton and in essence impose a scheme which I think no one is very happy with. 'We have quite a limited and narrow definition of a Troubles-related incident, and we have quite a limited and narrow definition of victimhood and we have the exclusion of the bereaved. 'Those are issues that locally this Executive, this Assembly could deal with if they could agree. If they could bring their heads together, they could reconstruct this scheme.' He went on to say he fully appreciates that paying money to someone who was injured as a result of involvement in an act of violence themselves 'retraumatises the innocent victims'. He said it is a 'really thorny issue' and challenged MLAs on the committee to use good will and their life experience to try to reach agreement. He added: 'This scheme is a microcosm of the problem that is societal. 'This scheme is a microcosm of the inability of people to recognise what went on in the past, recognise that there was fault on both sides, apologise and open up for the hurt and harm that they caused, and that's where I am very strongly of the view that this whole legacy process is so one-sided, because we have the state that has to open up, and we have the paramilitaries that are basically keeping shtum. 'That is unacceptable, if you want to move forward, everyone has to open up, everyone has to open the book, and everyone has to apologise sincerely for the harm and hurt that they caused. 'Now that's where this scheme attempts to give definition to the issue of reconciliation, because this scheme, even by its shortcomings, highlights the societal issues that we have to address as a society.'
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'Decades of environmental impact' from Mournes blaze
The environmental impact of recent fires on the Mourne Mountains will be seen for decades, a conservationist has said. Vincent McAlinden, who lives and works in the area, said the fires escalated to a "catastrophic devastation". The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) is still dealing with two fires - one at Bloody Bridge and the other at Trassey Track near Newcastle, County Down. A major incident was declared at the weekend when a large wildfire broke out near the Mourne Mountains, and led to homes being evacuated. That blaze is being treated as arson. There have been 147 blazes across the mountains since Thursday night. On Monday night more than 60 officers attended several blazes in the Mourne Mountains - including the Bloody Bridge fire front near Newcastle stretching one-and-a-half kilometres. The fire service were also at the scene of wildfires at Sawel Mountain in Newtownstewart, Carncullagh Road in Dervock, and another at Silent Valley near Kilkeel. NIFRS Area commander David Harbison said a Sandbank Road fire was "one of the most significant wildfires" he had witnessed in 25 years. "Inside the beating heart of the Mournes is in really, really bad shape," Mr McAlinden told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme. He explained the environmental impact of the wildfires. "It's basically the utter incineration of the living skin that provides all the public good that we benefit from. "Spring is supposed to be a time of renewal, things emerge, buds burst, birds sing - that's all gone, it's dead. A national hazards management yellow wildfire warning remains in place across Northern Ireland. "Some animals would have been able to move in front of the fire but most won't and certainly anything that's young or anything that's been in hibernation or small is now just dead," Mr McAlinden said. Responding to an urgent question in the NI Assembly on Monday, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir described the wildfires in the Mourne Mountains as "rural arson". Muir, who visited the area on Monday evening, said the unfolding situation "is really concerning". Muir said a strategic wildfire group was established following the 2021 fire, which identified a need for a wildfire management plan for a number of areas, including the Mournes. "We went to tender on that in the beginning of this year and unfortunately we didn't get any successful responses. That perhaps demonstrates this is an issue beyond Northern Ireland," he said. Mr McAlinden added that the aftermath will be felt even after the fires are extinguished. "It's just charcoal, the wind has abetted but when it picks up again it will just blow all that charcoal away and back into the streams, back into the air," he said. The Mourne Mountains are located in County Down and are designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A compact range, they include Northern Ireland's highest peak, Slieve Donard, and a dozen or so other major summits. Large tracts are held in public ownership, but significant sections are privately-owned farmland. Northern Ireland Water is one of the biggest landowners in the mountains and purchased 9,000 acres in the 1900s to secure a supply of drinking water for the growing city of Belfast. The National Trust is another significant landowner. The environmental cost of wildfires Wildfires are rural arson, says minister Firefighters tackle weekend of wildfires
BBC News
08-04-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Mournes: 'Decades of impact to come', conservationist says
The environmental impact of recent fires on the Mourne Mountains will be seen for decades, a conservationist has McAlinden, who lives and works in the area, said the fires escalated to a "catastrophic devastation".The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) is still dealing with two fires - one at Bloody Bridge and the other at Trassey Track near Newcastle, County Down.A major incident was declared at the weekend when a large wildfire broke out near the Mourne Mountains, and led to homes being evacuated. That blaze is being treated as arson. There have been 147 blazes across the mountains since Thursday night. 'The beating heart of the Mournes' On Monday night more than 60 officers attended several blazes in the Mourne Mountains - including the Bloody Bridge fire front near Newcastle stretching one-and-a-half fire service were also at the scene of wildfires at Sawel Mountain in Newtownstewart, Carncullagh Road in Dervock, and another at Silent Valley near Area commander David Harbison said a Sandbank Road fire was "one of the most significant wildfires" he had witnessed in 25 years."Inside the beating heart of the Mournes is in really, really bad shape," Mr McAlinden told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster explained the environmental impact of the wildfires."It's basically the utter incineration of the living skin that provides all the public good that we benefit from. "Spring is supposed to be a time of renewal, things emerge, buds burst, birds sing - that's all gone, it's dead. Yellow wildfire warning A national hazards management yellow wildfire warning remains in place across Northern Ireland."Some animals would have been able to move in front of the fire but most won't and certainly anything that's young or anything that's been in hibernation or small is now just dead," Mr McAlinden said. Responding to an urgent question in the NI Assembly on Monday, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir described the wildfires in the Mourne Mountains as "rural arson".Muir, who visited the area on Monday evening, said the unfolding situation "is really concerning".Muir said a strategic wildfire group was established following the 2021 fire, which identified a need for a wildfire management plan for a number of areas, including the Mournes."We went to tender on that in the beginning of this year and unfortunately we didn't get any successful responses. That perhaps demonstrates this is an issue beyond Northern Ireland," he said. 'Just charcoal' Mr McAlinden added that the aftermath will be felt even after the fires are extinguished."It's just charcoal, the wind has abetted but when it picks up again it will just blow all that charcoal away and back into the streams, back into the air," he said. Where are the Mourne Mountains? The Mourne Mountains are located in County Down and are designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A compact range, they include Northern Ireland's highest peak, Slieve Donard, and a dozen or so other major summits. Large tracts are held in public ownership, but significant sections are privately-owned farmland. Northern Ireland Water is one of the biggest landowners in the mountains and purchased 9,000 acres in the 1900s to secure a supply of drinking water for the growing city of Belfast. The National Trust is another significant landowner.
