On Tuesday 9th March, Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone, alongside staff from the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner’s Office, attended the annual Memorial Day for the Victims of Terrorism event at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. Since the Madrid terrorist attacks in 2004, this day has been observed across Europe as a time to remember those who […]
8 January 2026 The Armed Forces Covenant Trust Funds’ latest funding opportunity, the Rise Programme is designed to help small and medium armed forces charities become stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future. Things in the charity sector move fast, growing and changing to meet the needs of your beneficiaries, keeping you busy, often without time to […]
Read More… New funding to help Armed Forces Charities to Rise
Press Statement from the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner 23 October 2025 The conclusion of the trial today, with the acquittal of Soldier F, has once again brought into sharp focus the deep pain and division that events from over 50 years ago continue to cause. At the outset of this trial, I made clear that we should bemindful of the families who […]
On Saturday, 21st June 2025, Newtownards Airfield played host to this year’s Armed Forces Day, proudly hosted by Ards and North Down Borough Council. With an estimated crowd of over 40,000 attendees, the event was a vibrant celebration of the UK’s Armed Forces and their role in our communities. An Unforgettable Day Dry, breezy weather […]
Belfast City Council Vote on Armed Forces Covenant 4 June 2025 It was extremely disappointing to hear that Belfast City Council voted 29-28 to ensure that the Armed Forces Covenant is not implemented. It is unacceptable that in 2025, political parties actively vote in favour of discrimination and inequality. We need to be clear, the […]
Read More… Statement from Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner – David Johnstone
Response to Legacy Petition 23 May 2025 It is encouraging to see the incredible public response to the petition. To have reached 100,000 signatures in under two weeks clearly demonstrates the strength of feeling across our communities on this deeply important issue. A petition of this scale is a powerful exercise in democracy, it reflects […]
Read More… Statement from Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner – David Johnstone
Over the weekend, a truly special celebration took place just outside Newry, where family, friends, dignitaries, and comrades gathered to mark the 100th birthday of Captain John Gough, a proud Irish Guards veteran of the Second World War. The celebration was hosted by the Ulster Branch Irish Guards Association at Captain Gough’s home and was […]
Read More… Honouring a Century of Service: Captain John Gough Celebrates 100 Remarkable Years
NI VETERANS COMMISSIONER – PRESS RELEASE – 16 APRIL 2025 While many in society have moved on from the dark days of the NI Troubles, veterans are not being allowed to and this must stop. This week marks 27 years since the Belfast Agreement was signed. All these years later, while society have moved on […]
11 March 2025 The Northern Ireland Veteran Commissioner’s Office is excited to announce the upcoming launch of its brand-new podcast, Once a Warrior – Life Beyond the Uniform. Over the past two months, Commissioner David Johnstone has recorded six episodes, ready for release later this month. This podcast serves two key purposes: What to Expect […]
Read More… New Podcast Launch: Once a Warrior – Life Beyond the Uniform
21 February 2025 It is not surprising to hear the news that the files, in relation to the Clonoe incident, have been sent to the Public Prosecution Service. Many veterans believe there is a deliberate strategy by the republican movement to use the legal system to demonise the security forces. The so called ‘armed struggle’ […]