Debate contribution: Sectarian Murder of Robert Hamill: Failure of the RUC

Debate contribution by Mrs Linda Dillon on 15 September 2026.

MLA: Mrs Linda Dillon
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 15 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Matter of the Day
Heading: Sectarian Murder of Robert Hamill: Failure of the RUC
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5705401

Text

I did not intend to speak in the debate, because I felt that it was well and truly sufficient for John to speak on the issue as the representative for that area. However, I feel that some of the commentary has been totally unacceptable. There is no call for that today. This is a day for the Hamill family; let them have it. Just let them have this day, because they did not have much else. You can go through Hansard and see that I have said this repeatedly, and I will place it on the record again: every single family deserves truth and justice. That is why we had the Stormont House Agreement. It was not a perfect agreement, but it was the best opportunity for every single family to have truth and justice, which they all deserve. Every single one — Kingsmills and everybody else. There is no equivocation on that, but today is about Robert Hamill, and his siblings, parents and children: the people who loved him. Let him have that. John is right that Portadown was a no-go area for Catholics, as I can recall. I remember getting off a train in Portadown when I was a 15-year-old child — I was only a child — and being questioned by somebody who worked in the train station as to why I was wearing a miraculous medal. I did not even think that it was an issue. I had my school uniform on and was questioned, by somebody who worked in the train station, on what I was doing with that medal round my neck. That put the fear of God in me. I thought, "I will never get the train to Portadown again to see my sister", because I was terrified, right? Do not tell us that it was not a no-go area for Catholics. John grew up there, so he knows it. I went on many occasions to visit my family, so I know it. We lived through it. Do you know who lived through it and suffered the most? Robert Hamill's family. If they cannot have a floral tribute to their brother — the person they love — once a year and be left alone to do so, that is a shame and a disgrace on those —.
I accept that you accept that, OK? But how can you stand here and say that all those RUC officers, the people who were meant to go out to protect our community, did nothing wrong? Reserve Constable Atkinson was found guilty of doing something wrong.
He was found guilty.
And jailed, correctly. Do not tell us, however, that they went out to protect the community.
They did not go out to protect the community.
What is it if not collusion to ring somebody and tell them, "Burn your clothes. Keep yourself safe. Don't worry that you killed that wee lad in the town tonight. You make sure to protect yourself"?
That is collusion.

497 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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