Compensation hopes rise for victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism

The fall of Colonel Gaddafi’s regime could help MPs secure compensation for Libya’s past support for the IRA, it was claimed yesterday.

Northern Ireland politicians have pressed the Libyan government since 2009 for recognition of the human cost of Col Gadaffi’s decision to ship tons of arms and explosives to the IRA.

The campaigners have also held discussions with officials linked to the war-torn country’s prospective new government.

The Democratic Unionist Party’s Nigel Dodds welcomed the turn of events, but said: “In the midst of the celebrations in Libya, we must also remember the victims of Gaddafi-sponsored IRA terrorism.

“In Ulster, and throughout the United Kingdom, we suffered over many decades the appalling consequences of IRA terrorism, heavily funded and sponsored by rogue states such as Libya. Fuelled by a hatred of Britain, Colonel Gaddafi supplied the Provisional IRA with weapons and cash for many years.”

Party colleague Jeffrey Donaldson said discussions had taken place with the alternative Libyan government, and he argued the potential handover of power would not derail the compensation hopes.

Mr Donaldson said: “We are not starting from scratch with a potential new government, we have a memorandum of understanding with them.”

In 2009 the two politicians met officials in Libya to argue their case.

They have not put a value on the scale of compensation, but have called for measures including “substantial business and infrastructure investment, wide ranging community development projects, and, bringing closure for those who have suffered”.