Letter to Tánaiste Micheál Martin from Deirdre McHugh, whose father Mick was murdered by loyalists in 1977

Dear Táiniste Micheál Martin,

             I am deeply concerned about the Legacy Act and the establishment of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). I believe both these measures pose significant threats to families like mine, seeking justice for our loved ones murdered in the Troubles conflict.

I was 20 months old, and my sister Roisin was 4, when our father, Mick McHugh was murdered on his way to work on 21st January 1977 by the UDA/UFF, in collusion with the SAS and British forces, in Ardarver, Castlederg, County Tyrone. Despite threats, including a chilling letter three months before his death, he refused to leave our home, holding firm to his innocence and belief in a brighter future. My father was a hardworking farmer/forester, passionate about sports and music, deeply committed to civil rights and advocating for justice for our community. His love for us was boundless; this legacy inspires us to relentlessly seek the truth about his murder.

Photo L-R: Tony Brown, Táinste Micheál Martin, PFC's Alan Brecknell & Deirdre McHugh

What Are My Current Concerns?

 My primary concern lies in the glaring lack of genuine independence and transparency in these processes.

Firstly, the appointment of Peter Sheridan, a former RUC and former PSNI officer, as Commissioner of Investigations is problematic; his previous involvement with c3 (previously special branch) raises serious doubts about the impartiality of any investigations he oversees. How can families like mine trust a process where someone with such deep ties to the very forces under scrutiny is in charge? The ICRIR is supposed to be independent, but with Sheridan's background, it simply cannot be perceived as such.

Moreover, the act fails to address the critical role of the Police Ombudsman (PONI) in investigating police wrongdoing. We turned to the PONI with genuine concerns about state involvement in paramilitary activities. The PONI had already found strong evidence suggesting collusion in my father’s case, which was delayed due to lack of resources; yet the case now falls under the remit of the ICRIR. This shift not only undermines the independence of the investigation but also places the power to determine the type of review or investigation back into the hands of individuals with a vested interest in protecting their former colleagues.

The lack of discussion from the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) and the Secretary of State regarding our case is also deeply concerning. Daddy’s case, has already demonstrated a prima facie case of police misconduct and deserves a thorough and independent investigation—not to be handed over to a body that lacks both the safeguards and the trust of victims and survivors.

The broader implications of the Legacy Act are equally disturbing. The act unilaterally closes down existing mechanisms for accountability, such as inquests and police investigations, replacing them with a deeply flawed system that offers little hope for justice.

Labour's recent pledges offered some hope, but they too fall short. While they promise to repeal the Legacy Act and reinstate inquests and civil actions, there is still no clear commitment to restoring the investigative powers of the PONI. This omission leaves families like mine in a state of uncertainty, further prolonging our fight for justice.

In summary, I oppose the Legacy Act and the ICRIR because they represent a step backward in the pursuit of truth and accountability. The process is not independent, and it fails to address the serious concerns of those who have already been failed by the system. The legacy of the Troubles is one of deep pain and unresolved trauma; we need assurance that any mechanism dealing with the past is transparent, independent, and committed to delivering justice.

Deirdre as a baby, along with her father, Mick McHugh

What would I like?

As the daughter of a victim who was brutally murdered in an act of collusion involving British forces, the RUC, and loyalist paramilitaries my demands are clear and resolute. I want to see justice, accountability, and truth for my father and the full exposure of what really happened. For too long, the truth about my father's death has been hidden, shrouded in secrecy and denial. The pain of losing a loved one to violence is compounded when the institutions meant to protect us are implicated in the very crimes they should prevent. My desired outcomes include;

1. Independent and Transparent Investigations

The current mechanisms under the Legacy Act, particularly through the ICRIR, are fundamentally flawed. I want a fully independent body to investigate cases of state collusion, free from the influence of former RUC or PSNI officers. The appointment of someone with deep ties to these forces, like Peter Sheridan, as Commissioner of Investigations is unacceptable. We need investigators who are truly impartial, with no vested interest in protecting their former colleagues or institutions.

2. Truthful and Accurate History

More than any government apology, what matters most to me is that the truth is finally told. I want the history of my father's case, and others like it, to be documented accurately and truthfully. My deepest hope is for the Northern Ireland Troubles to be documented accurately and truthfully in the history books. It is crucial that the world knows the full extent of the collusion that took place, and that there is no more cover-up. The lies and deception that have surrounded my father's death have caused deep, lasting pain, not just because of the loss itself, but because of the shame and stigma that came with it. For most of my life, I have lived with the fear that people judged me and doubted my father's innocence. Many people simply do not comprehend the extent of the collusion involved in his murder.  From the age of eight, the stigma attached to the question, "Who is your father?" filled me with dread. My hesitation in answering came not from shame about who my father was, but from the painful reality that I couldn’t respond with the happiness and pride that he deserved. Instead, I was weighed down by the fear that people would judge both him and me, based on misinformation and prejudice. This is why the truth must come out—not just for justice, but to lift the burden of this stigma and to clear my father's name once and for all.

3. Restoration of the Police Ombudsman’s Powers

The Police Ombudsman (PONI) was a critical avenue for families like mine to seek justice. PONI had already found strong evidence of collusion in many cases, including my father’s. I want to see the full reinstatement of PONI’s powers to investigate police wrongdoing. The PONI must be independent and adequately funded to carry out thorough investigations, without being undermined by the ICRIR or any other body.

4. Continuation and Expansion of Inquests and Civil Actions

The abrupt halting of inquests under the Legacy Act is a direct assault on our right to truth and justice. I would like to see the resumption of these inquests, including the ability to initiate new ones. Civil actions should also be reinstated, allowing families to pursue justice through the courts. The government's promise to restore inquests must include a commitment to fully funding and supporting these processes.

5. Rejection of the Legacy Act

The Legacy Act, in its current form, must be repealed. It was imposed without the consent of victims' families and lacks the necessary safeguards to ensure justice. The act’s focus on reconciliation without justice is hollow and offensive to those of us who have lost loved ones. I would like to see a new framework that prioritizes truth, justice, and the rights of victims over political expediency.

6. Genuine Consultation with Victims’ Families

Any future mechanisms for dealing with the past must be developed in consultation with victims' families, not imposed upon us. We are the ones who have lived with the consequences of these violent acts, and our voices must be at the centre of any process aimed at addressing the past. The government and political parties must engage in meaningful dialogue with us to create a system that we can trust.

7. International Oversight and Human Rights Compliance

Given the failures of the UK government to protect the rights of victims, I want international oversight in the investigation of Troubles-related deaths. Any new mechanism must comply with international human rights standards, ensuring that all cases are investigated thoroughly and independently, and that those responsible are held accountable, regardless of their position or status.

8. Acknowledgment and Apology While I do want acknowledgment from the British government of its forces' role in the collusion that led to my father’s death, an apology alone is not what I seek. Government apologies can often be disingenuous, motivated by the desire to win votes or appease critics. What is far more important to me is that the truth is made public, that the world knows the extent of the wrongdoing, and that there are no more cover-ups. I have always admired the families who tirelessly pursue an apology, but I don't have the mental or emotional energy to do so myself. My priority is ensuring that the history of what happened to my father is truthful and accurate, so that future generations understand the real story, free of lies and misinformation.

In summary, I would like a system that values truth and justice over political considerations, that is transparent and independent, and that puts the needs and rights of victims and their families at the forefront. Only then can we begin to heal and move forward.

I trust in the Irish government's commitment to justice and its dedication to upholding the principles of fairness and transparency. I am confident that with your leadership and the support of the government, our fight for truth and accountability will be taken seriously. I urge you to address the concerns outlined in this letter and to ensure that the mechanisms established for investigating the past are truly independent and dedicated to uncovering the full truth. My family and I place our faith in your determination to rectify these grave injustices and to honour the memory of Mick McHugh (my father) and countless others who were killed through collusion during the Conflict

Thank you for your attention to this critical and profoundly personal matter.

Yours sincerely, Le meas,

  Deirdre McHugh