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BOYLE STATEMENT ON IRELAND PURSUING LEGAL CASE IN EURO COURT AGAINST UK’S SHAMEFUL LEGACY BILL

December 20, 2023

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) issued the statement below, following the Irish government’s decision to pursue justice in European Courts over the UK government's legacy bill:

“I strongly support the Irish government’s decision today to bring a legal case against the United Kingdom in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in response to the enactment of the UK’s so-called Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act. This legislation denies justice to thousands of families, across all communities in Northern Ireland, who were victims of violence during the Troubles.”

“Over the past two years, I, along with several of my House colleagues, have repeatedly expressed to British Prime Ministers Johnson and Sunak our opposition to the substance and potential consequences of this legislation. In 2014, by way of the Stormont House Agreement, the British government promised to investigate lingering and controversial killings that took place during that period, including those committed in collusion with British state forces. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act was a striking departure from that promise, and I am hopeful the ECHR can deliver justice to the Irish people.”