Gaddafi death prompts IRA victims tribute

Published Thursday, 20 October 2011
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Prime Minister David Cameron has paid tribute to the victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism, following the death of ousted leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

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    Victims’ lawyer

The former dictator was killed on Thursday in his hometown of Sirte, where he had been hiding, the country's National Transitional Council confirmed.

He is said to have been shot in both legs and the head while trying to flee in a convoy which was targeted by Nato warplanes.

Acting Libyan prime minister Mahmoud Jibril said: "We have been waiting for this moment for a long time. Muammar Gaddafi has been killed."

It brings to an end a very dark and evil period, where Gaddafi sponsored terrorism has brought destruction to many lives.

Jeffrey Donaldson, Lagan Valley MP

The news has been described as a "significant" development by campaigners for victims of Libya-sponsored IRA violence in Northern Ireland.

They are seeking compensation for those who suffered as a result of weapons and bombs provided to the organisation by Gaddafi in the 1980s.

Paying tribute, Mr Cameron said: "Today is a day to remember all of Colonel Gaddafi's victims.

"From those who died in connection with the Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, to Yvonne Fletcher in a London street, and obviously all the victims of IRA terrorism who died through their use of Libyan Semtex."

DUP Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson, who has lobbied on behalf of bereaved relatives, said the development will pave the way for the settlement of legal claims.

He hopes a multi-million pound payout from Libya for its role in providing weapons to the IRA during the Troubles will follow.

"Hundreds of people, even thousands of people, have had their lives destroyed as a result of these weapons by the IRA, so today is significant," Mr Donaldson told UTV.

"This now clears the way for what we hope will be the conclusion of our negotiations with the new government to settle the legal claims which have been made by a small number of IRA victims.

"We will be pressing for the establishment of a fund to assist the wider group of victims who suffered as a result of Gaddafi's sponsorship of the IRA and his arming of the IRA during the earliest years of the Troubles."

News of the toppled dictator's death was celebrated by NTC forces in the streets of Sirte, after they captured the town following a two-month long siege.

Amid confusion on the ground, it was initially though Gaddafi had received gunshot wounds to the legs and taken into custody.

There were also reports that the man who ruled Libya for 42 years was discovered cowering in a concrete pipe, and begged not to be shot when he was found.

His death brings a definitive end to the revolution which began with street protests in February and was supported by air-strikes by Britain and other Nato states.

Mr Cameron said: "I am proud of the role that Britain has played in helping them to bring that about and I pay tribute to the bravery of the Libyans who helped to liberate their country.

"We will help them, we will work with them and that is what I want to say today."

© UTV News
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41 Comments
paul in strabane wrote (215 days ago):
Why dont Libya just ignore the settlement claims and give everyone here free oil for 5 years :)
henry in north belfast wrote (215 days ago):
where do SF stand on this issue, or is gerry too busy hugging trees while martin hugs the british
james in County Derry wrote (215 days ago):
Colonel Gaddafi was unlucky because he had oil that needed to be liberated by America and it s tail,Britain! And Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) ?
colin in londonderry wrote (215 days ago):
Some of the comments on here supporting gaddafi is proof of what a lot of us suspected. That the posters are a few slices short of a loaf. Ah well. it takes all sorts.
steve in belfast wrote (215 days ago):
Nice to see the usual anti everything British brigade in full voice on here ! Gaddaffi was a ruthless man with little compassion or respect for human life, just like his friends in the IRA !
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