Troubles injury payment scheme to open for applications in ‘key milestone Alliance Leader and MEP Naomi Long Picture Mal McCann. David Young, PA 27 April, 2021 17:58
Confirmation of an opening date for a long-delayed scheme for those injured in the Troubles has been hailed as a good day for victims and survivors.
Justice Minister Naomi Long welcomed the announcement that the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme will accept applications from June 30.
However, during Assembly question time, Mrs Long said she could not give a definite date on when the first payments would start to flow.
President of the Victims’ Payments Board, high court judge Mr Justice McAlinden, announced the opening date on Tuesday.
Mrs Gourley had twice been honoured by the Queen, first with an MBE and then an OBE.
Working for the Industrial Development Board, she was the victim of a mistaken identity attack on June 2, 1991 when the Provos planted a booby-trap under her car.
The IRA said Mrs Gourley was not the intended target.
UUP justice spokesman Doug Beattie MLA paid tribute to Mrs Gourley.
He said that she typified the grace and resilience of victims seriously injured during our Troubles through a vicious terrorist campaign . Largely a forgotten group, who were not even entitled to an investigation as part of the Stormont House Agreement, Celia packed her life doing the best for Northern Ireland as part of the Industrial Development Board, ADAPT NI, or as vice chair of the NI Prosthetics Forum, he said.