By Rosetta Donnelly
THE WIDOW of a Castlederg man killed by UFF gunman Michael Stone has hit out at those who have criticised the payment of £12,000 to victims' families as proposed in the Troubles report.
Since breadman Dermot Hackett was murdered outside Drumquin in 1987, his wife Sylvia says she has struggled to bring up their children alone and she has welcomed the compensation package.
Yesterday, the Consultative Group on the Past unveiled a report making wide-ranging recommendations about how to deal with the legacy of decades of violence.
Its key proposal, the payments to the bereaved, has already proved highly controversial.
However, Sylvia said she is angry at "those men in suits who try and speak on her behalf."
"There are many people like me who have struggled to bring up children on a single wage. I have worked in a nursing home to be able to pay the bills. But there are no luxuries and the £12,000 compensation would allow us to take a good family holiday.
She added, "My two daughters, Sabrina and Rebecca, are grown up now and I have two grandchildren. Life has moved on but it has not been easy."
Sylvia said she was angered by those who have criticised the report.
"These politicians are probably on big salaries, how dare they speak for me. I was not consulted about this (report), I wasn't even aware it was coming out on Wednesday. Sometimes I feel like I don't exist."
She also stressed that no amount of compensation could replace the loss of her much-loved husband.
"I was expecting Rebecca at the time and I had to pay for the funeral, the headstone and continue to bring up our girls without his support, financially and emotionally.
"Nothing could ever replace Dermot but this money might give the girls a good time; heaven knows they have earned it." she added.
Sylvia said the Historical Enquiries Team proved that Michael Stone had murdered Dermot and she added that someday he will have to answer his maker.
"I have tried to bring my children up free from any bitterness about what happened their father: That was important for them and their children."
