Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The 50th anniversary of the darkest day of all during the era known as the Troubles, when 33 innocent people were murdered and hundreds badly injured in bombings in Monaghan and Dublin, will be marked on 17 May. The Government needs to continue to reassure victims and families of victims that we will relentlessly pursue the need for truth and justice. That message has to be reinforced with every engagement with the British Government. I recently spoke to the Tánaiste at the request of Patsy McGlone MLA regarding the need for the Government to support the request for a public inquiry into the death of Sean Brown, a highly regarded GAA activist in Derry. We must show that we stand with Sean's widow, Bridie, her family and friends, Bellaghy GAA club and the wider community in Derry.

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