Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We welcome and support this motion, which acknowledges the work done by the sub-committee of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, the report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings and the three related Barron reports. This recognition of past efforts sets a precedent for continued investigation and resolution. We support the call in the motion urging the British Government to allow access to all original documents relating to the atrocities for an independent international judicial figure. This is a call for transparency and co-operation in resolving these crimes. The quest for obtaining access to information held by the British Government on the bombings has been pursued for many years. This persistence underscores the importance of obtaining the truth and resolving these crimes and providing closures to the families of the victims.

This week, Friday, 17 May, marks the 50th anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. This serves as a reminder of the passage of time and the growing need to provide all necessary information to assist families. We strongly support any efforts to seek justice for the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. It is one of Ireland's worst atrocities. A trio of no-warning car bombs exploded in Dublin city centre within the space of three minutes, killing 27 and injuring 215. Barely 90 minutes later, another car bomb was detonated in Monaghan town, killing seven more people, with a total of 34 lives lost.

That day, 17 May 1974, was the deadliest single day of the entire Troubles. Despite the evidence implicating known loyalist paramilitaries, no one was ever brought to justice for these attacks. Persistent allegations of collusion between the killers and the British security and intelligence services have been made over the years. However, previous investigations have been stifled by the British Government's refusal to release key intelligence documents. The Garda investigation into the bombings was mysteriously disbanded just seven weeks after the attacks, with crucial evidence sent North to the RUC being subsequently lost or destroyed, while the official inquest into the 34 deaths was never completed.

It was truly extraordinary that Garda files could end up in the hands of the RUC in this way, especially when it transpired that RUC personnel were involved with a County Armagh-based UVF outfit. The Glenanne gang, which included UDR and RUC personnel, went on to carry out a number of other notorious Troubles killings, including the Miami Showband massacre.

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