Republican News · Thursday 15 May 2003

The Forgotten Massacre

There are some cases that will always remain mysteries. The truth will never be known, because there was a lack of witnesses, or a lack of evidence. But there are some cases that are kept mysteries because too many powerful people would be harmed if the truth were to come out.

The truth behind the Dublin/Monaghan bombings has never been fully disclosed, but they are not a mystery. The truth behind the bombings is covered up, because those who planned them want it kept that way.

The bombings are still the worst atrocity ever committed in the 26 Counties, and remain the state's biggest unsolved murder case.

On 17 May 1974, three bombs exploded in the city centre of Dublin within 90 seconds of each other. 85 minutes later a bomb exploded in Monaghan. No warnings were given, and 33 people, mostly women, were killed in the attack. 250 people were injured.

Immediately the finger was pointed at loyalist paramilitaries, but contemporary observers pointed out that loyalists did not have the expertise or material to carry out such a professional attack alone. The evidence pointed to British Military Intelligence.

The bombings were never properly investigated by either the Gardaí or the RUC, and 'Justice for the Forgotten' is still working on behalf of the victims, who are awaiting publication of the Barron Report, folowing an inquiry into the bombings.

The truth behind Britain's dirty war in Ireland is slowly coming to light. In recent weeks, new evidence has been published further proving that Britain consistently engaged in a ruthless policy of state-sponsored assassination in collusion with loyalist murder gangs. There can be no doubt that the 'Stakeknife' allegations against Freddie Scapatticci have came from nameless securocrats in British Intelligence.

These allegations have been accepted and repeated as fact by a large section of the media without question, without criticism, and with little thought to the consequences for the man they have named.

What the media should be focusing on is the need for full disclosure of the activities of these nameless and unaccountable agencies in prosecuting Britain's dirty war. They should also be asking where the buck stops.