Written answers

Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Department of Justice and Equality

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

481. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on a matter regarding victims' issues (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17601/14]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Many in this House will, like me, recall the horror of the bombings in Dublin and Monaghan in May 1974, 40 years ago next month, to which the Deputy refers in his question. Despite the passage of time, I know that the resulting pain is still being felt by the survivors and their families, and our thoughts are with them.

The House will be aware that the late Mr. Justice Henry Barron carried out a detailed and painstaking inquiry into those awful events of May 1974 and, indeed, other atrocities that took place between 1972 and 1976 in which many innocent people lost their lives.

Over the lifetime of the Remembrance Commission from 2003 to 2008 € 3.87 million in funding was made available to individual victims of the conflict in Northern Ireland resident in this jurisdiction to acknowledge their suffering, to address economic hardship and certain medical expenses. A significant amount of funding was also made available directly to Justice for the Forgotten, a group which supports many of the victims. In the current circumstances it is not possible for my Department to continue to provide funding to Justice for the Forgotten. However, I am informed that the group, which has merged with the Pat Finucane Centre, has made an application for funding to the Reconciliation Fund managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which is under currently consideration. I can assure the Deputy that certain ongoing medical needs of the people who sustained injuries in the bombings have been and will continue to be provided for through the Victims of Crime Office of my Department.

It is a matter of regret that those who were responsible for these atrocities have not yet been brought to justice. However, the Garda investigations into these atrocities remain open and any credible new information which is brought to attention will be pursued.

Arising from the report of the Barron Inquiry in 2005 the Garda Commissioner appointed a dedicated liaison officer for the victims of the bombings in Dublin in 1972 and 1976 and in Dublin and Monaghan in 1974. This dedicated liaison service at the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation remains in place to date. The Garda authorities continue to co-operate closely with the PSNI in respect of these and other historical criminal investigations. The Garda authorities also seek to co-operate with the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman to the greatest extent possible consistent with ensuring that ongoing criminal investigations and the chances of a successful prosecution arising would not be compromised.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.