Minister vows to obtain Dublin/Monaghan documents

Posted by Jim on May 20, 2018

 

The victims of the worst day of the recent conflict in Ireland should
be told the truth, a campaigner has said.

A minute’s silence was observed during the wreath laying ceremony to
mark the 44th anniversary of the Dublin/Monaghan bombings on Dublin’s
Talbot street.

The ceremony took place at a memorial to 33 killed by loyalist bombers
on Thursday. Their families want the British government to release
secret files relating to the massacre in which British collusion is
strongly suspected.

Four no-warning bombs were detonated in a co-ordinated manner on May
17, 1974. Three bombs were detonated during a Friday rush-hour on
Parnell Street, Talbot Street and South Leinster Street to maximise
fatalities as people made their way home and to train stations in
Dublin.

A fourth bomb exploded about an hour and a half later in Monaghan in
what was believed to be a diversionary tactic to allow the bombers
cross the border and return to the North. No one has ever been charged
over the bombings.

The Justice for the Forgotten lobby group has fought a long-running
campaign for an open inquiry into evidence that British state agents
were among those who plotted and co-ordinated the sophisticated
attacks.

Spokeswoman Margaret Urwin said: “When people talk about justice they
are often meaning prosecutions and so on. We have been campaigning now
for 25 years, since 1993 basically.

“What the families have always asked for, demanded, is for the truth
rather than prosecutions. I don’t think they ever expect justice in
that sense but what they really want to get is as much of the truth as
possible.”

After years of delay, a consultation has begun on measures to address
the past conflict, including mechanisms to reinvestigate past
wrongdoing and many unresolved killings.

Ms Urwin said: “We hope that the mechanisms of the Stormont House
Agreement will soon be established. That may also help in freeing them
up a bit more to release these documents.”

Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan also took part in
the ceremony.

He said: “We will persevere in our efforts to seek out the truth behind
those events and, hopefully, to secure some measure of comfort for
you.”

He claimed his government had worked consistently to implement the
previous motions of the Dublin parliament which call on the British
government to allow independent access to all original documents in
their possession relating to the bombings. These have all been ignored
by successive British governments, he said.

“I know you are frustrated that these motions have not yet been
responded to and I share your frustration. However, I want to assure
you that we will not give up in our efforts.”

The Minister also spoke about his determination to achieve progress
through the new consultation.

He said: “The Irish government is determined to play our part in
ensuring that the Stormont House legacy bodies are established in a way
that will meet the legitimate needs and expectations of all victims and
survivors. The Tanaiste continues his work with the British government
and the Northern Ireland parties to achieve this.

“Dealing effectively with the legacy of the past will be one way to
honour the memory of all those killed and injured in the dark days of
the troubles, including those victims of the Dublin and Monaghan
bombings who are foremost in our thoughts today.”