Written answers

Thursday, 6 October 2016

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Investigations

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if there has been any progress in the investigation by An Garda Síochána into the bombing in Belturbet, County Cavan, on 28 December 1972 which resulted in the death of two teenagers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29005/16]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The bombing at Belturbet, Co. Cavan in December 1972 took the lives of two innocent young people. It was an appalling and utterly unjustified act of violence that, like so many others, characterised a dark period in the history of this island. My deepest sympathies go to the families who were bereaved by this atrocity.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the bombing at Belturbet and the two deaths caused by it were the subject of a thorough investigation at the time by An Garda Síochána, with expert assistance provided by the Army. The investigations at that time involved close liaison with the authorities in Northern Ireland in an effort to bring the perpetrators to justice. However, although every avenue of inquiry open to the investigation was pursued at that time there was no evidence to bring those responsible for this crime to justice. It remains a source of disappointment that no one has yet been brought to justice for these murders.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the investigation into these murders remains open. While regrettably it is the case that with the passage of over 40 years and in the absence of any new evidence emerging, one must be realistic about the prospects of successful prosecutions, it is nonetheless the case that Garda Authorities will pursue fully any new information or evidence that is made available and would work with the PSNI to seek to progress the investigation in those circumstances. I call on anyone who has any relevant information in respect of these events to bring it to the attention of the Garda Authorities.

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