Northern Ireland’s Victims Commissioner warns against dividing Troubles victims and veterans, urging unified support and planning amid looming funding gaps.

Northern Ireland’s Victims Commissioner Joe McVey warned against dividing Troubles victims and veterans, stressing all affected individuals deserve support. He highlighted ongoing trauma from a conflict that killed over 3,700, injured more than 100,000, and impacted 200,000 psychologically, with one in five people in Northern Ireland identifying as victims or survivors. McVey expressed concern over looming funding gaps, including the end of PeacePlus in 2027 and the closure of the Victims Payment Board to new applications, urging the Executive to plan ahead. While cautiously welcoming the Troubles Bill as an improvement over the Legacy Act, he cautioned against narratives that pit victims against veterans, emphasizing unity and the need to address intergenerational trauma and improve youth understanding of the past.