The Ulster Unionist Party’s West Tyrone MLA Ross Hussey has slammed the Irish Taoiseach for his failure to meet with representatives of the Derg Valley Victims Voice.

Mr Hussey said;

“For a year now I have been working with the various Government Departments in Dublin attempting to arrange a meeting between the Derg Valley Victims and the Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD.

“I have presented the Departments with a portfolio detailing the terror attacks on Castlederg – which at one time was the most bombed town in Northern Ireland – and details of the 29 murders that took place in the area. 

“Most people will be aware of the Sinn Fein orchestrated commemoration which took place in Castlederg on the 11th August 2013 when Sinn Fein and their activists held an event to mark the deaths of Republicans in County Tyrone. These included Seamus Harvey and Gerard McGlynn who died when the car bomb which they were transporting from County Donegal, exploded prematurely. This commemoration was incredibly offensive and insensitive, taking place just four days before the anniversary of the 1998 Omagh Bomb and on the very same day that the Omagh families commemorated their loss.

“I had accepted various explanations for the delay in the meeting with the Taoiseach, including the presidency of the EU, but there is no valid reason why the Irish Prime Minister cannot find time in his schedule to meet these victims. We have offered to travel to Dublin and we have also invited him to Castlederg. The only obstacle that seems to be in our way appears to be a self-imposed block by the Department of the Taoiseach.

“I have been in constant communication with the Taoiseach’s office and as I informed them my patience has eventually snapped. It is now time for the matter to be made public and I am therefore seeking an explanation from the Taoiseach as to why he is not prepared to meet the families of the Castlederg murder victims.”