U2's worldwide concerts echo unresolved Dublin/Monaghan bombings

CAMPAIGN GROUPS Justice for the Forgotten and the Pat Finucane Centre have welcomed U2’s decision to highlight the plight of the bereaved families and survivors of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings as their world tour began in Vancouver, Canada, last night (Thursday 14 May).

The band’s song, Raised by Wolves, released last year, deals with the direct and personal impact of that day, nearly 41 years ago, when three no-warning car bombs exploded in Dublin and a fourth caused devastation in Monaghan on 17 May 1974.

The bombs killed 34 people, including a pregnant woman and her baby.

It is the greatest loss of life on a single day of the conflict and although claimed by the unionist Ulster Volunteer Force, evidence indicates the involvement of the British Army and British Intelligence.

Justice for the Forgotten and the Pat Finucane Centre said of the event by U2:

“During the performance of the song, images of the event and photographs of the victims are shown on stage. By including Justice for the Forgotten in the official tour programme of the band’s ‘iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE’ world tour, and by highlighting that no one has been brought to justice, U2 is joining the thousands of voices, including the entire Irish parliament, who have called for the release of classified documents on the bombing to an agreed judicial third party.”

● Talbot Street after the bomb attacks

The families of those killed and those who survived the bomb explosions have also welcomed what the campaign groups called U2’s principled decision.

Dubliner Pat Fay, whose father, Patrick (a civil servant aged 47) was killed in the Parnell Street explosion, said:

“One of the most popular bands in the world is lending its support to our call for truth.

“The ‘iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE’ world tour will last for up to two years. There will be a focus on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings at every concert from New York and Turin to Berlin and Barcelona. This means that the world will finally hear about the huge injustice inflicted upon families who had already suffered devastating loss.”

Bernadette Joly, who was aged 23 when she sustained serious injuries to both arms from flying shrapnel in the Talbot Street bomb, said:

“We greatly welcome U2’s decision to highlight our loss and our need for justice and truth. At last, we feel the world will listen to our plight and demand that London open up the files and set the truth free.”