FAIR Meeting with Veterans Commissioner
FAIR – Families Acting for Innocent Relatives – recently held a constructive and heartfelt meeting with the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner to discuss the evolving Legacy Framework and its implications for those who served during the Troubles.
The meeting began with a solemn reflection on the first British Army casualties in South Armagh, honouring their sacrifice and acknowledging the enduring pain felt by their families. FAIR reiterated its long-standing concern over the failure of the Irish Government to secure the border against terrorist incursions during that period, a failure that contributed to the loss of life and the destabilisation of communities.
The Commissioner outlined the scope and objectives of his office, including his commitment to representing the interests of veterans and ensuring their voices are heard in policy discussions. FAIR welcomed this clarity and expressed appreciation for the Commissioner’s engagement with grassroots organisations.
With many of FAIR’s members being veterans or families of those who served, the meeting provided a vital opportunity to articulate their concerns regarding the Legacy Framework. FAIR emphasised the need for truth and justice to be upheld, and for veterans not to be scapegoated or criminalised for their service in defence of democracy and the rule of law.
Key points raised included:
- The imbalance in legacy investigations and prosecutions.
- The emotional toll of persistent legal uncertainty on veterans and their families.
- The importance of recognising the context and complexity of service in Northern Ireland.
FAIR reaffirmed its commitment to supporting innocent victims and veterans alike, and called for a legacy process that is fair, transparent, and rooted in historical truth. A long and detailed discussion took place with a clear strategy for the future support of veterans agreed.
We thank the Veterans Commissioner for his time and engagement, and look forward to continued dialogue to ensure that the voices of those who served – and those who suffered – are not forgotten.
FAIR Reflects on the Life of Jim Dixon
In Memory of Jim Dixon – A Tireless Advocate for Innocent Victims
It is with deep sorrow and profound respect that FAIR – Families Acting for Innocent Relatives – announces the passing of Jim Dixon, a cherished friend, tireless campaigner, and courageous survivor of the Enniskillen bomb.
Jim’s life was irrevocably changed on that tragic day in November 1987, when the IRA detonated a bomb during a Remembrance Day service, killing 11 innocent people and injuring dozens more. Though wounded, Jim emerged from the devastation with a quiet determination to ensure that victims of terrorism would never be forgotten, and that their voices would be heard.
From those dark beginnings, Jim became a beacon of hope and resilience in the victims sector in Northern Ireland. He was a leading figure in the historic Long March which highlighted the plight of innocent victims and demanded justice. His leadership and moral clarity inspired many to join the cause and stand firm against the tide of revisionism and political expediency.
Jim’s legacy was further cemented through his founding of the Ely Centre in Enniskillen, a vital support hub for victims and survivors of terrorism. Under his guidance, the Ely Centre became a sanctuary of healing, advocacy, and remembrance, offering practical help and emotional support to those whose lives had been shattered by violence.
Throughout his life, Jim remained steadfast in his principles: truth, justice, and dignity for innocent victims. He was a man of strong Christian faith, quiet strength, unwavering conviction, and deep compassion. His work touched countless lives, and his absence will be felt across the entire victims community. Speaking of the PIRA bomb attack on Remembrance Sunday he recalled his own injuries
“My skull was fractured in a number of areas. My eyes were sitting down on my cheeks when the doctors found me. They had to put my eyes back into place. My mouth was blown out. My jaw was missing on the right-hand side. I was split open nine inches from my chin to my ear. My face and tongue were paralysed. I had nine broken ribs. My pelvis, two hips and one leg were smashed. Three surgeons told me I wouldn’t live. It’s a miracle I survived. The time I spent in hospital was horrendous. I was in intensive care for a very long time.”
FAIR mourns the loss of a true hero and extends our heartfelt condolences to Jim’s family, friends, and colleagues at the Ely Centre. We share in their grief and honour his memory with gratitude and pride.
Jim Dixon’s legacy will endure in every life he helped rebuild, every truth he defended, and every step he took toward justice.
Belfast Newsletter Article
