Mr Robinson said,
“Following the loss of a loved, the greatest hurt remains the inability to attain justice. For 25 years, it has been denied to many thousands killed and injured though terrorism.
What started with the repugnant release of terrorists from prison has ended with an abhorrent amnesty. Too few have ever served a day behind bars, even for the most heinous of crimes.
Innocent victims have paid the highest price. That is why we opposed the Government’s legacy legislation.
While it was right that the Government addressed the witch-hunt against those who served and defended us against terrorism, an amnesty was never the way to achieve that end. To remove any real possibility of justice from innocent victims of terrorism through this legislation, was simply wrong. It was a corruption of justice.
Make no mistake though, the hypocrisy of others on this issue is galling. Sinn Fein were happy with amnesties as long as it applied only to them and their erstwhile “comrades”. They rejoiced in the early release of prisoners facilitated by the Belfast Agreement. They embraced the “on the run” letters, hiding their grubby backroom deal from sight.
The Irish Government has also displayed breathtaking arrogance. It is fast out of the blocks to lambast the UK for its approach, yet victims are crying out for Dublin to investigate claims around atrocities such as Omagh.”
