The Irish Government 'must now' act to ensure families of victims killed during The Troubles can still receive justice, according to the leader of Aontú.

Deputy Peadar Tóibín said a case should be brought against the UK to the European Court of Human Rights over the terms of a controversial bill.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill became law in September.

Dubbed the ‘Legacy Bill,’ it will close down all outstanding investigations into atrocities committed during The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

A British armoured car moves through Strabane, Co Tyrone in April 1969. Picture by: PA/PA Archive/PA Images

Over 1,000 murders are yet to be solved from the time of the 30-year conflict, which lasted from the late 1960s to 1998.

Hundreds of families in the North and South are still seeking justice for the killings of their loved ones.

The bill has been met with a  number of legal challenges to date and has strong opposition from victim-impact organisations.

Deputy Tóibín is calling on the Government to confirm once and for all if it intends to take the UK Government to court over the terms of the Legacy Bill.

Intentions

He said the Irish Government has about 40 days to declare its intentions otherwise certain bereaved families will never get answers from the British.

“It is now literally at the end of our opportunity to take this case against the British Government,” said Deputy Tóibín

“The Irish Government has exhausted all diplomatic efforts at this stage and they must now take the case in the European Court of Human Rights.”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has previously stated that legal action in relation to the bill will be considered by the Irish Government.