Victims pin hopes on 'healing process'

After three decades of conflict weapons could soon be decommissioned

The IRA's movement towards decommissioning has been welcomed by one victim of Northern Ireland's troubles.

Methodist minister, Rev David Clements, a member of the victims' group Wave, said a start to decommissioning would an important step in the "long and slow" healing process.

Mr Clements, whose father was murdered by the IRA, said he was cynical about why republican politicians had decided to act now, after so much wrangling on the arms issue.

Did the attacks on New York influence Sinn Fein?

He cited the impact of last month's terror attacks on America as a likely motivation. But that did not undermine the end result.

"I think the events in America on 11 September have made a very significant impact on this," he told Radio Ulster.

"It seems to me now, in the balance of things, holding on to their weapons is more dangerous and difficult for Sinn Fein and the republican movement than getting rid of a few of them.

"But nonetheless, even with that cynical view, it's something to be welcomed."

It ought to be at least the beginning of saying this war is over

Rev David Clements

On Monday, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, called for a "ground-breaking move" from the IRA on the weapons issue, which has deadlocked the political process in Northern Ireland and the final implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

That was followed on Tuesday by the IRA announcing that it had begun a process to put arms beyond use.

Mr Clements, a member of the victims' group Wave, said any act by the IRA to put its weapons beyond use would help the healing process for many of those whose loved ones had been killed and hurt in the three decades of conflict.

"From the point of view of thousands of people who have been bereaved and injured and damaged by what the IRA have done over the last 30 years, you've got to think about the process of healing and it's a long and slow process."

He said decommissioning of arms could be seen as an act of repentance.

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"It ought to be at least the beginning of saying this war is over; we are not going to be doing this anymore. And obviously if we are not going to be doing it anymore we don't need the equipment to do it," said Mr Clements.

"I think that's a helpful thing in building trust and bringing some degree of healing in society.

"Obviously you cannot bring back loved ones. But if a paramilitary organisation begins to see that at least its tactics were wrong, if not the whole moral basis, then to say that we are going to put the stuff away for ever is a helpful thing."