The IRA apology isn't enough for some people bereaved or injured during the Troubles. Suzanne Breen, Senior Northern Correspondent, recounts the responses of two of the IRA's victims
Not a day passes without Margaret McKinney visiting the grave of her son Brian, who was one of the Disappeared. "I lay some fresh flowers, light a wee candle and talk to him. I lost him in 1978 but I miss him as much as ever," she says.
Brian (22) was abducted by the Provisional IRA on his way to work in Andersonstown, west Belfast. He was killed and secretly buried. It was 21 years before his remains were found in a bog at Colgagh, Co Monaghan. He now lies in Milltown Cemtery, just a mile from the McKinneys' home.
The IRA's apology hasn't helped Mrs McKinney (71). "Personally, it doesn't do anything for me. I would far rather have the truth from the IRA than them saying sorry. I want to know why Brian was killed.
"I want to know why they secretly buried him when they could have left his body by the roadside. I want to know why the IRA denied involvement for years and continually lied to my family."
Brian McKinney was involved in petty crime but he was far from a hardened criminal. He spent most of his time drinking and playing cards under street lamps. Initially, the IRA told the family Brian was in England and Mrs McKinney raised the fare and packed her suitcase, ready to go to her son when the phone call came. It never did.
Her husband Billy then withdrew his life savings of £300 and offered it in exchange for his son.
The IRA said they knew nothing about Brian. For years, that remained the organisation's position.
"It was bad enough they killed Brian but then they put us through 21 years of hell. They still won't answer our questions about what happened. Saying sorry doesn't help.
"We want the facts from the IRA. A truth and reconciliation committee would help," says Mrs McKinney.
The only positive outcome of the IRA's apology would be if it "is a step towards peace and prevents more killings and more heartache for other families", she says. But she is concerned that, despite the paramilitary group's words of remorse, it is still carrying out "punishment" attacks and other violence.
Jim Dixon was one of 63 civilians seriously injured in the 1987 Enniskillen bomb in which 11 people were killed.
"I am very sceptical and cynical about the IRA apology," he says.
"The IRA is still up to its neck in violence. Will it be apologising to the people of Colombia for the deaths of 60 people who have been murdered by FARC in recent months with the help of its terrorist expertise?"
If the Provisional IRA is sincere, it must not stop at an apology, Mr Dixon says.
"The IRA should publicly disband, destroy its weapons, says its war is over and that it was always morally wrong.
"It must stop collaborating with international terrorist organisations. It should pay reparations to those it bereaved and injured over the past 30 years. The IRA must also tell us who carried out the various shootings and bombings.
"It isn't enough to know the IRA bombed Enniskillen. I want to be told the names of the people who did it and who caused death and injury to myself and so many others." Mr Dixon (65) says he remains in constant physical pain.
"My eye sockets were blown out. Some of the bones in my head disintegrated and part of my jaw is missing. I can't swallow my own spittle. I have steel plates in my head and no tear ducts. I must regularly dab ointment in my eyes to keep them moist.
"I always have headaches. My eyes won't shut naturally so I have to tape them closed at night.
"The pain is so bad that when I get up in the morning, I immediately want to go back to bed. I detest outsiders preaching that victims must forgive. It's easy for them to say that. They haven't suffered the way we have."