Commentary: it is time for Libya to pay for IRA attacks

Exaro disclosed last week that a meeting between UK and Libyan government officials this Wednesday will attempt to agree compensation for IRA victims. Now is the time to press our case home to a successful conclusion, writes Lord Empey.

"Libya’s ruling regime of Muammar Gaddafi was the principal supplier of weapons and explosives to the IRA during the ‘troubles’ in Northern Ireland.

In the 1980’s, at least four boatloads of arms were shipped to Ireland. What was believed to be the last one was intercepted, and a huge quantity of arms – including two tonnes of Semtex – seized. The supply of Semtex was one of the most effective items in the IRA armoury, and was responsible for the deaths of many members of the police, army and civilians, to say nothing about the massive bomb damage inflicted on British cities.

I believe that Gaddafi’s decision to supply and, indeed, help train IRA terrorists, prolonged the terrorist campaign by nearly ten years..."

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