I was disappointed, but unfortunately not surprised, to learn that Sinn Fein representatives on Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council have lodged a ‘call in’ legal challenge to a motion passed by a majority of councillors to pay tribute to the women who served in the the Ulster Defence Regiment, commonly known as the Greenfinches. […]
Read More… NI Veterans Commissioner supports ‘The Greenfinches’.
02/02/2023 I note the outcome of today’s sentencing hearing for veteran David Holden. It was not the intention of Mr Holden to cause the death of Aidan McAnespie on that tragic day in February 1988. We must remember that the security services stood as the protectors of all the people of Northern Ireland during the […]
The Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner’s Office held its eighth in a series of Veterans’ Information Roadshows in the historic city of Londonderry recently. The aim of the Information Roadshows is to better inform veterans of ‘veteran friendly’ services and organisations within their local and regional areas that can assist, if and when needed. In the […]
Read More… 1st Veterans Information Roadshow of 2023 launches in Londonderry
As we enter 2023, the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner’s Office is once again reaching out to the veteran community to enable access to information, services and organisations. In 2022 the Veterans Commissioner’s Office hosted seven Veteran Information Roadshows in Cookstown, Antrim, Portadown, Coleraine, Newtownards, Enniskillen and Belfast. The purpose of the Roadshows is to provide […]
Its a new year and the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner’s Office are back sponsoring Veteran Information Roadshows 2023 to outreach into our veteran communities across Northern Ireland following this much welcomed venture in 2022. Danny Kinahan, the NI Veterans Commissioner on his travels around Northern Ireland has been eagerly talking to veterans to find out […]
It is hard to believe that 2023 is already upon us, with the days getting ever so slightly longer, personal resolutions having been made, and decorations starting to disappear until next Christmas. However, with ‘New Year’s’, come new opportunities and challenges to which we are ready to embrace. Getting information out there I am aware […]
Read More… Wishing all our Veterans and families a Happy New Year
This year has been an extremely busy period for the NI Veterans Commissioner’s Office. Throughout the course of the year, the office has attended some 330 engagements and events across Northern Ireland as well as the other regions of the United Kingdom and Ireland. The Commissioner, has been keen to develop and build upon the […]
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council recently launched an exhibition that captures the stories and experiences of local veterans and their families. Alongside artefacts from across various organisations and private collections these form the ‘Veteran Life: untold stories by the people behind the uniform’ exhibition. The Veterans Commissioner would encourage veterans, their families and the general […]
Read More… <strong>‘Veteran Life: untold stories of the people behind the uniform’ </strong>
Images – Justin Kernoghan This week has celebrated the opening of Northern Irelands first Veterans Centre, Harbour House in Portavogie. The shining beacon of light for veterans all over Northe rn Ireland and wider afield, Harbour House has been developed, project managed and run by Beyond the Battlefield, one of Northern Irelands home grown service […]
Read More… Northern Ireland’s first veteran centre ‘Harbour House’ opens in Portavogie
I note the judgement on Friday past from Mr Justice O’Hara, regarding veteran David Holden, and acknowledge that this has been a long and difficult process for everyone involved. As the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner it is my responsibility to speak on behalf of the veterans who served during Operation Banner. In doing so, it […]
Read More… A letter from Danny Kinahan, the Veterans Commissioner