Families of Ulster Defence Regiment soldiers killed by terrorists have slammed government proposals to end all prosecutions for Troubles offences as “very wrong”.

Yesterday’s Standing By and For Justice – The UDR Family event at the Corick House Hotel in Clogher was organised by the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF).

Relatives of UDR soldiers killed as well as veterans gathered in Co Tyrone on Thursday to express their opposition to the amnesty plans.

SEFF director of service Kenny Donaldson said the location was selected because Tyrone was the “worst-hit county” in terms of UDR personnel being killed.

He said the UDR was “not flawless” but the actions of some members “do not define the regiment”, and are a “source of grave disappointment, frustration and anger for the overwhelming majority of those connected with the regiment”.

Mr Donaldson said the state has “failed in its duty of care” to those who “went out to uphold the state and to serve the community, those who fought a terrorist insurrection and who prevented this country from descending into a circumstance of all-out civil war”.

He urged the Government to “belatedly grow a backbone” and ensure justice can be served as well as tackle the glorification of terrorism.

Charles Eames, nephew of UDR soldier James Eames, 32, who died with a colleague in a car bomb close to Enniskillen in August 1972.

He described the proposed amnesty as “immoral and wrong”.

A case is currently in the justice system in relation to his uncle’s death.

He said for his family, if that hope of justice of “snatched away”, it would be “unacceptable to say the least”.

He said if the proposals go through, then “Boris Johnson and everyone else should hang their heads in shame”.

“There is no worse crime than taking someone’s life, to allow those people to escape justice is inexcusable and is unforgivable,” he said.

Mr Eames, a former police officer, said he served alongside UDR soldiers, and described how they “put their lives on the line on a daily basis”.

“As a retired police officer, I have a strong sense of justice.

“I want to see people held to account for their actions, and if that applies to me in the future, it won’t because I know I have done nothing wrong, but if that applied to me, I would expect to be dealt with accordingly,” he said.

Almost 200 UDR personnel were killed while on duty, while a further 62 were killed after they have left the force.