Ms Sandra Peake:

I thank members for inviting us. We appreciate that there are many challenges regarding Covid. While we would have much preferred to have met with members face to face, we know the importance of remaining safe so we thank the committee for agreeing to have this online session with us today.

WAVE has been in existence for 30 years and I have worked in the organisation for the past 26 years. During this time, I have been privileged to have worked with the families of the disappeared - those who were abducted, murdered and secretly buried as a result of the Troubles. The experience of having a loved one disappeared has been harrowing for the families. They have faced many challenges since the abductions and, above all, their wish is to see their loved ones brought home for a Christian burial. I am delighted today to be accompanied by several of the families. I am accompanied by Maria Lynskey, whose uncle, Joe Lynskey, was disappeared in August 1972 and whose body has not been recovered. I am also joined by Dympna Kerr and Oliver McVeigh, whose brother, Columba McVeigh, was abducted from Dublin in October 1975. It is believed he was brought to Bragan bog, County Monaghan and despite searches there by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains, ICLVR, he sadly has not as yet been recovered. We are also joined by Anne Morgan, the sister of Seamus Ruddy. Seamus was disappeared in France in 1985. His body was recovered in May 2017 following a number of searches. Finally, we are joined by Michael McConville.

His mother, Jean, disappeared in 1972 and she was recovered in August 2003.

One of the most powerful aspects of the work with the families of the disappeared is the solidarity of the families in supporting each other. Even when their own loved ones have been found they continue to support those who still wait and still yearn. I am going to hand over to the families shortly but before I do I will make some general comments on legacy due to the current situation in which many individuals bereaved and-or injured find themselves in today.

One of the most challenging issues currently affecting those bereaved is the question of legacy and the direction of travel of the British Government. This has retraumatised, it has brought heartache to families and it has raised key issues around worth. For example, why is my loved one's death not being addressed, why is the state saying that his or her death no longer matters, and why are they telling those who perpetrated my loss that they are no longer of interest to the state?

Over my time in WAVE, I have engaged with families whose loved one's deaths were being investigated by the RUC, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI, the Historical Enquiries Team, HET, An Garda Síochána, the Police Ombudsman, the legacy unit in PSNI and specialist investigative teams such as Operation Kenova. It is important to state what the bereaved have been asked to make concessions in support of the Good Friday Agreement, including the early release of prisoners; a limit to a two-year sentence; and an ad hocprocess to address the legacy of the past. It is clear that at times the priorities that were adopted in legacy were politically driven. Now, once again, there is a proposal that the bereaved will have to make concessions again if this goes through. The effect on those bereaved has been colossal. Many have spoken about feeling that they have been rewounded and that their loved ones have died all over again. The expected direction of travel is both morally and ethically wrong.

Legacy can be addressed. We have seen that in our work with families engaging with the Operation Kenova that is led by Jon Boutcher. The Secretary of State keeps stating that there is no alternative to the statue of limitations but that is simply untrue. There is an alternative but the Tory Government needs to find a process that provides an amnesty and protections for a number of soldiers, and refuse to accept the processes that work today for families. We need the international community to stand with us on this. The US Administration was a firm supporter of the peace process. The Irish Government also needs to hold firm. I urge all members to fully address the deaths that also happened in their jurisdiction. It would be beneficial if a legacy process operated across Ireland given the cross-jurisdictional issues that arise.

The second point I want noted today is support for the injured. The injured pension has been made available for those who were injured in the Troubles who live within the United Kingdom. Those who were injured in the South of Ireland but who are not UK citizens are not eligible to apply. We urge the Irish Government to address this issue and ensure parity.

I will return to the issue of the disappeared and why we are here today. Disappearing individuals is quite simply one of the cruelest acts anyone can commit against families. It is the families who continue to suffer, yearning and longing for the return of their loved one’s bodies each day.

The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains, ICLVR, appeared before this committee a month ago. The commission does sterling work and its people are amazing. However, the ICLVR relies on information. We urge anyone who has the information regarding the whereabouts of any of the disappeared to provide it to the ICLVR through the channels available or go to someone they trust so that the information can be passed on.

The ICLVR and the parameters around its work is one of the success stories of the Good Friday Agreement. It is one of the processes that has worked. However, it is information led and that is what is required. The ICLVR has the specialists, equipment and funding but need information. The families of Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Robert Nairac and Lisa Dorrian need to be able to bury their loved ones and lay them to rest.

On behalf of all of us, I thank the members of the committee for inviting us to join them this afternoon. I am now going to hand over to the families. First, Ms Lynskey will say a few words and she will be followed by Ms Kerr, Mr. McVeigh, Ms Morgan, and Mr. McConville.