Dublin & Monaghan bombings 42nd anniversary – British Government must release all its files

ON the 42nd anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings by unionist paramilitaries widely believed to have been working with British Military Intelligence, David Cameron's Government is facing renewed calls for Whitehall to release all its files on the attacks in 1974 in which 34 people lost their lives.

On 10 July 2008, the Dáil passed an all-party motion which called on the British Government to release all files relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. Another was passed in 2011. These calls by the Irish Parliament have yet to be acted on by the British Government.

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 the wave of attacks was eventually claimed by the unionist Ulster Volunteer Force, the deep involvement of the British Army and British Intelligence who were running agents and informers with the ranks of the UVF and other unionist organisations is widely believed.

A report in 2003 by former Irish Supreme Court judge Henry Barron found grounds for suspecting the bombers may have had help from members of the British military and security forces.

On the eve of last year's anniversary, Dublin band U2 highlighted the plight of the bereaved families and survivors of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings as their world tour began in Vancouver, Canada. The band’s song, Raised by Wolves, deals with the direct and personal impact of 17 May 1974.

◼︎ Speaking ahead of a commemoration at the Dublin and Monaghan memorial in Talbot Street, near Connolly Rail Station, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD extended his continued sympathy and solidarity to the survivors and the bereaved and commended the continued work of the ‘Justice for the Forgotten’ group and the vital support they give to the victims and families.

He added:

“I again call on the British Government to release all the information it holds associated with the bombings and to assist the families in ensuring that justice is pursued and delivered.

“The new Programme for Government contains a commitment to pursue the implementation of Dáil motions relating to the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings. It is vital that the new Government lives up to the need to ensure the upmost pressure is put on the British administration to release their files.”