Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said she is sorry for all lives lost during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Reacting to the interim findings of Operation Kenova, Sinn Fein’s Stormont leader said the hurt of political violence cannot be disowned by republicans.

Ms O’Neill said: “The injustices and the tragedies of the past have left a deep legacy of suffering and trauma right across our society.

“We must never forget those who have died or been injured and their families. I am sorry for all the lives lost during the conflict without exception. Regrettably the path cannot be changed or cannot be undone.

“Neither can the suffering, the hurt or the political violence of conflict be disowned by republicans or by any other party to the conflict.

“People’s lives from every section of the community were trespassed upon during the conflict by British state forces, republicans, loyalists, and unimaginable grief and hurt and pain and suffering was inflicted.

“I would never ask any mother, father, wife, husband, son, daughter, brother or sister to forget the past or to move on. While thankfully the conflict is long over, the legacy of our past remains unresolved.”Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said she is sorry for all lives lost during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Reacting to the interim findings of Operation Kenova, Sinn Fein’s Stormont leader said the hurt of political violence cannot be disowned by republicans.

Ms O’Neill said: “The injustices and the tragedies of the past have left a deep legacy of suffering and trauma right across our society.

“We must never forget those who have died or been injured and their families. I am sorry for all the lives lost during the conflict without exception. Regrettably the path cannot be changed or cannot be undone.

“Neither can the suffering, the hurt or the political violence of conflict be disowned by republicans or by any other party to the conflict.

“People’s lives from every section of the community were trespassed upon during the conflict by British state forces, republicans, loyalists, and unimaginable grief and hurt and pain and suffering was inflicted.

“I would never ask any mother, father, wife, husband, son, daughter, brother or sister to forget the past or to move on. While thankfully the conflict is long over, the legacy of our past remains unresolved.”