Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 281: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider issuing an apology on behalf of the State to the families of the people killed in the Ballymanus mine disaster in 1943 in west Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14386/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy is referring to a tragic incident that occurred on Ballymanus Strand, Donegal, on 10 May 1943, in which 18 people tragically lost their lives when a wartime mine floated ashore and exploded. This tragic incident was previously raised in this House in Parliamentary Question No. 512 of 13 May 2008. In an adjournment debate in the Seanad on 23 April 2008, the details of the incident were outlined based on the files from the National Archives. In October 2010, my predecessor met with Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill and the son of one of the men who tragically lost his life that day.

An inquest was held the day after the incident and the proceedings were adjourned while consideration was given to holding an inquiry. However, it seems from the file that there was little local demand for an inquiry into the matter at the time. It was noted that a number of local representatives were of the view that nothing would be gained from an inquiry. A meeting of local clergy apparently also came to the same conclusion. A report on file states that a meeting of the next-of-kin of the deceased was held on the 24 May 1943 and it was decided unanimously by them that no demand be made for an inquiry. The Departments of Defence and Justice came to the conclusion that an inquiry would not serve any useful purpose. The coroner was informed that no official inquiry was proposed and the inquest was reconvened on the 28 May 1943.

This was an appalling tragedy for the community of Ballymanus and for the whole country, but it must be questionable whether, 68 years after the event, it would be practical to inquire into whether anything more should have been done to prevent the dreadful loss of life, or to apportion blame or pass judgement on the actions of the individuals or organisations involved. I am of course deeply saddened by what happened, and offer my personal sympathies to all those who lost loved ones on that dreadful day in 1943.