Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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501. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress of an investigation (details supplied) to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64670/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The murder of two innocent young people in Belturbet in December 1972 was an appalling act of brutality. The perpetrators of this bombing demonstrated a callous disregard for human life and it is a source of great regret that, in spite of a comprehensive investigation, it has not been possible for those responsible to be prosecuted for their crimes.

As the Deputy is aware, in recent years a comprehensive review of the investigation was carried out by An Garda Síochána which identified a number of lines of inquiry. In 2022, a Senior Investigating Officer was appointed to lead the investigation from the incident room at Ballyconnell Garda Station. An Garda Síochána has issued appeals for those with information in relation to the bombing to make contact, including via RTÉ’s Crimecall. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that this investigation remains open and that their work continues with the aim of bringing the perpetrators to justice.

At the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference earlier this week, I raised the Belturbet Bombing with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and underlined the need for continued cooperation by the UK authorities with the investigation. I will continue to raise the bombing and the All-Party Motions with the British Government.

Additionally, I am aware that the Belturbet Bombing is one of a number of incidents that occurred in this jurisdiction which have been examined by Operation Denton, part of the UK Kenova structures. Operation Denton is an analytical review by the independent Kenova Investigation Team into the activities of a group of individuals known as the Glenanne Gang in Northern Ireland. While we await publication of its report and findings, it is my hope that it may shed new light on some of these incidents and provide some of the answers that the families have long sought.