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| New fund for victims is advocated | New fund for victims is advocated |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A report by the former interim victims commissioner has recommended the Memorial Fund for victims be phased out. | A report by the former interim victims commissioner has recommended the Memorial Fund for victims be phased out. |
| Bertha McDougal said it should be replaced by a more flexible fund, to be allocated £8m in the first year. | Bertha McDougal said it should be replaced by a more flexible fund, to be allocated £8m in the first year. |
| She said a more co-ordinated approach was needed and suggested consideration be given to setting up a fund for UDR families similar to the police fund. | She said a more co-ordinated approach was needed and suggested consideration be given to setting up a fund for UDR families similar to the police fund. |
| She also recommended more compensation for those bereaved before 1988. | She also recommended more compensation for those bereaved before 1988. |
| Spouses bereaved before that year should receive an annual payment of £2,000, she said. | Spouses bereaved before that year should receive an annual payment of £2,000, she said. |
| Previous changes to the law made special financial allowance for those affected by the Troubles after 1988. | Previous changes to the law made special financial allowance for those affected by the Troubles after 1988. |
| Mrs McDougal also advocated establishing a victims' forum highlighting issues of concern and a role for their representatives on bodies responsible for community planning when local government reforms come into effect in 2009. | Mrs McDougal also advocated establishing a victims' forum highlighting issues of concern and a role for their representatives on bodies responsible for community planning when local government reforms come into effect in 2009. |
| The real cost needs to be considered within the context of human suffering and the physical, emotional and psychological trauma inflicted on individuals and society as a whole Bertha McDougal | The real cost needs to be considered within the context of human suffering and the physical, emotional and psychological trauma inflicted on individuals and society as a whole Bertha McDougal |
| She also criticised the government's "fragmented" approach to helping those suffering from trauma, and said the methods of delivering services were too complex. | She also criticised the government's "fragmented" approach to helping those suffering from trauma, and said the methods of delivering services were too complex. |
| "It is neither fair nor accurate to measure the cost of the Troubles in purely financial terms whether it be funding or service provision," she said. | "It is neither fair nor accurate to measure the cost of the Troubles in purely financial terms whether it be funding or service provision," she said. |
| "The real cost needs to be considered within the context of human suffering and the physical, emotional and psychological trauma inflicted on individuals and society as a whole. | "The real cost needs to be considered within the context of human suffering and the physical, emotional and psychological trauma inflicted on individuals and society as a whole. |
| "Better definition and identification of need coupled with co-ordinated implementation of services and appropriate funding is at the core of my recommendations." | "Better definition and identification of need coupled with co-ordinated implementation of services and appropriate funding is at the core of my recommendations." |
| Mark Kelly was one of those who met Mrs McDougall as she prepared her report. | |
| He lost both legs in a UVF bomb attack in Glengormley in 1976. | |
| "I have often said I don't consider myself a victim. Those who sadly lost their lives are the true victims, but certainly I would feel that, in some way, the system victimised us again in not being prepared to cope with our needs in a real way," he said. | |
| "But as a society we all grow and there's the need to change and I think this particular report is a part of the reconciliation process." | |
| Mrs McDougall's term of office is over and her report is now being made public. | Mrs McDougall's term of office is over and her report is now being made public. |
| Following a high court ruling that the manner of the appointment was unlawful, she has been permitted to publish her report in a personal capacity. | Following a high court ruling that the manner of the appointment was unlawful, she has been permitted to publish her report in a personal capacity. |
| Mrs McDougal's husband, a police reservist, was murdered by the INLA in 1981. | Mrs McDougal's husband, a police reservist, was murdered by the INLA in 1981. |