Britain urged to release bombings files
The Dáil today urged the British government to release security files on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.
A total of 34 people were killed when bombs planted by loyalist paramilitaries were detonated in Dublin and Monaghan in May 1974.
Nobody has ever been convicted of the crimes but the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) admitted responsibility in 1993.
The Dáil today passed an all-party motion urging the British government to release security files relating to the bombings to an independent international judge.
The motion arises out of parliamentary debates on security forces collusion held in the Dáil earlier this year.
The text urges the British government “to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents held by the British government relating to the atrocities” with a view to resolving the crimes.
The Justice for the Forgotten group, which represents the victims of the bombings, today called on the British government to act promptly on this motion.
“This is a very significant move and it carries considerable weight,” said spokeswoman Margaret Unwin.
“It has the support of the three Government parties as well as Opposition parties and Justice for the Forgotten is calling for speedy progress on this matter from the British government.”
The Dáil is also forwarding for the consideration of the House of Commons boxes of reports compiled over several years by an all-party committee and by Justice Henry Barron.
Labour TD Joe Costello, who helped table the motion, said he regretted there was no time for a debate on the issue today as the Dáil was adjourning for its summer recess.
However, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan, who was representing the Taoiseach in the chamber, said a debate may be accommodated in the autumn.
“The passage of this motion is an important bilateral mechanism between two sovereign governments and it deserves to be respected and acted upon by the British,” said Mr Costello.
Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern raised the issue of the security files with former British prime minister Tony Blair on several occasions in the past.
The first inquiries into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings began in 1998 when the Victims’ Commission was established.
This was followed by the Independent Commissions of Inquiry chaired by Judge Liam Hamilton and Judge Barron.
Based on these inquiries, the all-party Justice Committee made a series of recommendations to the Irish Government.
