Bureaucracy and half-baked excuses have prevented the setting up of public tribunals into two of the worst cases of British collusion in Ireland in the last 30 years. An ongoing criminal investigation in the Six Counties was used as an excuse to dodge an inquiry into the killing of Belfast solicitor Patrick Finucane. The presumption that evidence relevant to the 1974 Dublin/Monaghan bombings could only be found in the North or Britain was the reason cited for not holding a public inquiry into the atrocities in the 26 Counties. Free article

The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann extends fraternal greetings to all Volunteers, to republican activists and to our supporters and friends at home and abroad. We send solidarity greetings to our imprisoned comrades and their families. On this, the 88th anniversary of the 1916 Rising, we especially remember our patriot dead and extend solidarity to their families. We commemorate the freedom fighters of all generations who have given their lives for Irish freedom. Free article

There have been many definitions of collusion. At various stages in over a decade of discourse, collusion has been portrayed in the limited terms of 'a few bad apples' or as a matter of 'leaks'. In this scenario, collusion has been identified as simply the product of random individual decisions acting outside official sanction and structures. Free article

In his investigation into the murder of 25-year-old Robert Hamill by a loyalist mob in the early hours of 27 April 1997, Judge Cory lists nine separate elements of the RUC's response on the night and during its subsequent investigation that require a public inquiry. Free article

The Six-County Prison Service, including the former governor of Long Kesh, seems likely to be the focus of any inquiry into the killing of LVF leader Billy Wright by the INLA on 27 December 1997. Free article

Relief, cautious welcome, and in many cases, disappointment - these were some of the reactions to the report from the Oireachtas sub-committee investigating the Barron Report into the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings, published last week. Most people had presumed the committee would either advise a public inquiry into the bombings, or conclude that there was no need for further action. Free article

Following on from the visit of bereaved families and survivors of collusion to Leinster House on 25 March, Sinn Féin TDs on Tuesday combined to raise the issue and to urge the 26-County Government to become pro-active internationally to put pressure on the British Government. Free article

"This year's Easter Commemoration Parades across the country will see bigger numbers than ever marching to remember our patriotic dead," said chair of the National Graves Association Liam Shannon. Free article