This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-22633868

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Ann Travers: IRA victim's sister meets SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell Ann Travers 'more hopeful' after McDonnell meeting
(about 1 hour later)
An IRA victim's sister has met the SDLP leader over his party's decision to block a bill to prevent former prisoners guilty of serious offences becoming Stormont special advisers. An IRA victim's sister says she was "more hopeful" the SDLP would not block a bill that would prevent former prisoners guilty of serious offences becoming Stormont special advisers.
Before the meeting, Ann Travers said she hoped to persuade Alasdair McDonnell to change his party's mind. Ann Travers was speaking after a meeting with the party's leadership.
Earlier this week, she accused the SDLP of "putting two fingers up to victims". An SDLP MLA had indicated his party would seek to block the bill after failing to amend several aspects of it.
Ms Travers' sister Mary was shot dead by the IRA as she left Mass with her father in Belfast in 1984. Ms Travers' sister Mary was shot dead by the IRA almost 30 years ago.
Ann Travers criticised the SDLP after it said it would try to block a bill that would prevent former prisoners guilty of serious offences holding posts as Stormont special advisers (SPADs). Earlier this week, Ms Travers accused the SDLP of "putting two fingers up to victims", but now believes they might change their minds.
The party could use a petition of concern to stop the bill from becoming law.The party could use a petition of concern to stop the bill from becoming law.
The petition requires 30 or more signatures and triggers a cross-community vote in the assembly.The petition requires 30 or more signatures and triggers a cross-community vote in the assembly.
Ms Travers said she did not know if the SDLP was representing victims or victim-makers.Ms Travers said she did not know if the SDLP was representing victims or victim-makers.
The Traditional Unionist Voice brought forward the bill after ex-prisoner Mary McArdle was appointed as an adviser to a Sinn Fein minister.The Traditional Unionist Voice brought forward the bill after ex-prisoner Mary McArdle was appointed as an adviser to a Sinn Fein minister.
McArdle was convicted of the murder of Mary Travers. McArdle was convicted of the murder of Mary Travers, who was shot as she left Mass with her father in Belfast in 1984.
"I feel so disappointed, gutted - I have been punched in the stomach - and I feel they don't understand how hugely symbolic this bill is for victims of violence in Northern Ireland," Ms Travers said.
The bill seeks to ban anyone who has been sentenced to more than five years in prison from taking up a post in the future.The bill seeks to ban anyone who has been sentenced to more than five years in prison from taking up a post in the future.
Sinn Fein, which has 29 MLAs, is opposed to the bill and if the party joined forces with the SDLP's 14 MLAs, both parties would be able to secure a petition of concern.Sinn Fein, which has 29 MLAs, is opposed to the bill and if the party joined forces with the SDLP's 14 MLAs, both parties would be able to secure a petition of concern.