2008 Press Releases

August 7, 2008
Office of Seamus Boyle
National President AOH in America
Funds for the Victims and Families of
Victims of the Troubles Announced

The Ancient Order of Hibernians in America would like to commend the Stormont Government on their Cross-Community support for the victims of what is known as “The Troubles”. The cooperation between Junior Ministers Jeffrey Donaldson of the DUP and Gerry Kelly of Sinn Fein is welcomed by our Order as evidence of political cooperation in Stormont that is definitely needed.

The plan will be for three victims groups which have drafted proposals that have already been dealt with at committee level in the Belfast Legislature for the victim’s funds. They are the Victim’s Commission, Victims Forum, and Victim’s Services.

These drafts will now be presented to the public for 12 weeks for their input. During the consultation period anyone in the North with a view can express it by contacting the victims units Junior First Ministers Offices.

Quotes from Junior First Ministers:

Jeffery Donaldson: “It is our desire to ensure that everyone who needs help and support gets and receives that support. That is why we are proposing the establishment of a new victim’s service so that there is one point of contact,” Mr Donaldson said.

Gerry Kelly: “The commissioners are set up, they have been working very hard and once we get the forum, the victims and survivors forum set up and indeed the victims and survivors service set up, then it will be a full fledged, organized and comprehensive approach to the issue of victims and survivors.”

The A.O.H. welcomes the cooperation between the parties in government as we seek a political solution leading to a United Ireland.

New York City Pension Fund Investment

Last year we were present at a luncheon sponsored by the Irish Echo near Wall Street in New York City for their Golden Awards, David Burke our JFK Medal Winner in 2007 was one of the recipients, for the announcement of the New York City Pension Fund Investment in the six counties.

Conor Murphy, Sinn Fein MLA from Armagh and Finance Minister in the Stormont Government, was there to thank the NYC Comptroller for their confidence in the new joint assembly government. Last April it was confirmed that the total investment would be $298,000,000.

These funds will be used for infrastructure and attracting more business and investment to the six counties economy. In the end it was explained these are NYC pension funds as well as any and every investment with these funds must produce a return.

Just this spring the first benefit was realized when an economic and investment conference was held in Belfast to discuss business opportunities which might utilize these funds in the North for the future.

The A.O.H. again applauds the effort of cooperation between the parties in government and views with interest the discussion and compromises on devolving Policing and Justice to the Assembly as well as the Irish Language and the new Sports Stadium at the former site of Long Kesh.

It is our belief that these financial investments in the Peace Process bring us closer to the long stated A.O.H. goal for which we patiently waited for more than 170 years to: “Aid and advance by all legitimate means the aspirations and endeavors of the Irish people for complete and absolute independence, promoting peace and unity for all Ireland.”