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OPPOSITION PARTIES JOINED with the Government yesterday in calling for the full disclosure by the British Government of information relating to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings.
The Minster for Justice spoke on the issue in the Dáil yesterday on the sixth anniversary of a unanimous motion that called on the British Government to release all the documentation they hold relevant to the 1974 atrocity.
Inquiries into the bombings by Judge Henry Barron and Patrick McEntee SC both criticised the British Government for not providing them with complete access to documentation.
The families of the victims are also currently in the process of suing the British Government to compel them to release documents.
Minister Frances Fitzgerald said that the Taoiseach has raised the matter directly with the British Prime Minster and as has the Minister for Foreign Affairs with his counterpart.
“The Government remains in discussions with the British Government in support of the families’ request for access to documentation,” she said.
As in the past, this house is unanimous in its message to the British Government to make the relevant documentation available. I hope we can also send a message of solidarity to the families of those who were so tragically killed in Dublin and Monaghan and, indeed, to the families of all those who lost their lives in the conflict.
The lack of access to the documentation was raised by deputies Seán Crowe, Dara Calleary, Finian McGrath, Thomas Pringle and Brendan Smith with Smith saying that it is “high time” for the British Government to be open with victims families.
“The least that the families of the victims deserve is the truth,” he said. “The British Government has a major responsibility in this regard, a responsibility that they must not be allowed to evade. ”
Seán Crowe asked the coalition to outline their strategy to ensure that the British Government release their files:
British Government spokespeople have said that there is nothing there and that there is nothing to hide. Why then will they not release the files? The relationship with Britain must be based on equality and respect. I must ask you what you believe can be done and what you will do.
34 people died in 1974 bombings.
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I hope to have answers before I die, we are long enough waiting and FG seem to be dragging their heels on the matter.Been a survivor of the bombing in sackville place I would like to see them hand over the files on the 1972 bombings along with the 1974 files.
Declan . It is about time you got truth and justice. All governments British and Irish in the past are responsible for your injustice. Just like you JusticeForStardust 48 we are still waiting for Justice. We fully support you.
Surely when all the conspirators are dead they will open the files, apologise for ” rouge British involvement ” and that will be the last you hear.
The Rogue element behind this went from 10 Downing St. down to the RUC in Amragh.
Wasn’t it rogue elements in the IRA that killed Garda Jerry Mc Cabe, and then later SF/IRA lobbied for the ‘rogue’ murderers release.
Exactly. Rogue elements don’t really exist.
The people behind the Dublin/Moanghan bombings were protected and rewarded for their entire careers.
Sadly they were also protected by the Govt. here.
Waiting for Ex-Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave to kick the bucket so that he doesn’t have to be disgraced in his old age.
Let that for history books and he gets to live out his days in peace.
Spot on Seanie!
Just imagine the reaction in London or America, if the investigations in to 9/11 or the 7/7 bombings were stopped by the Govt of the day after 6 weeks.
That is what happened here.
This was an open act of war committed by the British.
The Irish government of the day had a vested interest in hiding the facts from the people, as to reveal the truth would have led to either the total destabilisation of the Irish state, or civil war.
The Govt. of the day could have told the truth and used that to put pressure on Britain to rein the RUC, their army and the loyalist Killer gangs that worked for them.
Problem in Ireland is that there is a sizeable element who do not look at what is in the interest of Ireland but how then can seek approval from other countries or the very wealthy here.
It is a hard truth but we have never had a Govt. that was 100% behind the nation and its well being.
Jesus, Seanie, you’re sounding more and more republican every day. Keep up the good work.
There are 2 reasons that we will get the truth here.
1 FG/Lab don’t want it to be shown that past members and ministers colluded with the British Government in covering up the massacre.
2 If the real truth came out and it was shown that the British Government was involved in an attack on the Sovereign State of the Republic of Ireland this would be a causa belli and give legitimacy to IRA’s campaign of the last 40 odd years. That is the real reason that no one wants the dirty truth to come out.
‘If you want to stay in the past there are a bunch of lads marching the roads on Saturday who I’m sure you would fit in well with. They’re stuck in the past about 400+ years ago so it should be right up your street’. Brian, these are your words with regard to the past. You are a typical Shinner – you want to forget about anything that is embarrassing to your argument but want to recall anything that you deem embarrassing to others. There is a name for this, it is called hypocrisy.
Patrick, my comment was on an article about blood transfusions that you somehow felt was tied in with NI’s past for some reason. How you came to that illogical conclusion I don’t know. I have no problem with investigating the past from all sides and have consistently called for the setting up of a truth commission to investigate past crimes and atrocities from all sides in the war in Northern Ireland. So can you tell me how that is a hypocritical position? The only party( which I have no affiliation to despite your assertions and assumptions) to call for the setting up of this is SF, a party which conceivably would have to face up to a lot of criticism. So why don’t FG/Lab?FG , Unionists and the British Government support their call and set up a commission?
Brian, you will never draw this Pickart hypocrite into a rational debate. He is a sad, blinkered, weird individual. Don’t waste your time. He hates Republicans and Republicanism. Nothing but a Loyalist troll.
Wait for an anniversary to start pushing for answers. What is wrong with our country ?
Amazing isn’t it. A FG/Lab Government ” remains in discussions with the British Government in support of the families’ request for access to documentation,” Wasn’t it a FG/Lab Government in power at the time who sent forensic evidence back to the government that was complicit in the bombing? What are the chances that FG/Lab will dig up the dirt on their colleagues and show them up for the Quislings that they are?
The release of these files will confirm what everyone has known for years, that the Dublin/Monaghan bombings were carefully orchestrated from within the higher echelons of the British establishment. It was an act of war.
The families involved need answers to allow some small measure of closure. If there is evidence of collusion then the full rigors of the law should be dropped on anyone involved. That it’s taken this long is a disgrace. Innocent irish were murdered. The very least they deserve is justice.
Here, here!
You might as well be shouting into the fireplace.
@Robin
You’re a well known Orangeman, so keep your shouting for your fat, red faced bigot friends tomorrow night.
I see that the Orange men stole a memorial statue to a Catholic suicide victim and have placed it on top of the bonfire.
Probably the most hateful and evil organization in Europe for the last 50 years.
My word, Kentucky! You’re an angry little man aren’t you? I post using my real name and you can click onto my Facebook profile if you like. But where did you get the idea that I am an orangeman? Let alone a well known one? Where am I well known?
There I was thinking Robin was suggesting a smart way to get around British excuses about not physically removing files.
Turns out this makes him an orange man. I say boo Robin! Do you here? Boo!
Some folk can’t see the wood from the trees…
I’m still eagerly awaiting Kentucky windbag’s reply. I can’t wait to hear what the anonymous troll has to say for himself.
I’m nearly sure that you are the taig-baiter that was on here a few months ago spreading vile sectarian venom.
However, if it was a different Pickering I apologise wholeheartedly for any offence caused.
Well, do you think it was me or not? And are you apologising or not? Make your mind up.
Kentucky I think that you got Pickering confused with “Pickart Solny” (Patrick Lyons) who has posted above. As you will notice in his ramblings he is Oranger than an Oompa Loompa with a bad fake spray tan!
If this is to be rested over files of information then there can be no forgiveness for past troubles. Who can read them and pick out the pieces of information . Maybe the English government should allow a delegation to visit the storage facility and read files in there. This would be in keeping with they do not wish to hand them over. Best think outside the box.
have your say