Dear Madam, - On September 25 it was an immense honour to host a group of over 20 innocent victims from the Ely Centre in Enniskillen at the European Parliament to share their experiences on the European stage. I know that their very personal accounts of the legacy of IRA terrorism both in their lives and upon their loved ones, touched the hearts of those MEPs and EU decision-makers who attended the event.

Particular tribute must be paid to the contributions of Mr. Jim Dixon, whose resilience and strength since the Enniskillen Remembrance Day bomb typifies the story of many victims, as well as Mr. Errol McDowell and Corporal Eric Glass, whose stories typified the courage and sacrifice of both the RUC and UDR.

This hearing was the first time that the stories of innocent victims, who suffered most in the face of sectarian tyranny - and to whom we in Northern Ireland owe so much - have been told in Europe in this way. To be the first MEP from Northern Ireland to host such an event is a huge privilege, and it is vital that we continue to press this case for better recognition and better support for innocent victims of terrorism in our Province in Europe.

This seminar also presented an opportunity to send a message to victims’ organisations at home that they are not alone in their hurt and their hopes. We were privileged to hear the very powerful story of one Spanish MEP, Ms Teresa Jimenez-Becerril Barrio, whose brother and sister-in-law were murdered on their doorsteps by the ETA terrorist group. She was an inspiration to the local group, particularly in her strong message that the distinction between innocent victim and terrorist should never be confused. I would like to publicly thank the representatives of the Ely Centre for their co-operation in the preparation of this event, and to commend them for acting as a strong advocate for the voice of innocent victims in County Fermanagh.

Yours faithfully, DIANE DODDS MEP DUP Member of the European Parliament