Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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261. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if there has been any recent developments in the investigation into the Belturbet bombings in 1972 which caused the deaths of two young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54989/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The bombing in Belturbet on 28 December 1972 was a savage atrocity which claimed the lives of two innocent young people, Geraldine O’Reilly and Patrick Stanley, and callously bereaved their families.

The local Gardaí carried out a thorough investigation into the bombing at the time, assisted by experts from Garda Headquarters and from the Army. The Garda authorities have indicated to me that the investigation carried out would have been conducted in accordance with normal procedures in place at that time and that there was also liaison with the authorities in Northern Ireland. There was, unfortunately, no evidence to allow the perpetrators of this atrocity to be brought before the Courts, although every available avenue of enquiry was pursued at the time.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the investigation into these murders remains open and should any new evidence emerge from any source, it will be actively pursued by An Garda Síochána. The Garda Divisional Officer met recently with representatives from the families and they are being kept informed of progress.