Warning to Ahern on suppression of Barron report

The Dublin government has been criticised for its plan to block out certain names in a report into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.

Socialist Party leader Mr Joe Higgins said the suppression of any part of the long-awaited Barron report would ``devalue'' it and jeopardise its integrity.

He said the families and friends of victims were looking to the report as a form of catharsis and a resolution to questions which have lingered ever since the atrocities.

The Irish Prime Minister, Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has explained his continuing refusal to release the report as an attempt protect about ten individuals who have not been charged in relation to the bombings.

``Some of these names have never been in the public domain, some of these people have never had any record and there is a concern for their right to life,'' he said.

The report by High Court judge Mr Justice Henry Barron on the bombings in Dublin and Monaghan on the same night almost 30 years ago will be considered by the Dublin government next week and will be discussed in parliament, Mr Ahern, confirmed. Thirty-three ewre killed in the atrocity on May 17th, 1974, including one pregnant woman.

Mr Justice Barron is expected to deliver a separate report on the Dublin bombings of December, 1972 and January, 1973, before Christmas. The Barron report was due to have been completed more than a year ago, but its preparation was frustrated by the lack of co-operation on the art of the British authorities.

The inquiry was established to examine a range of issues, including collusion between members of the British Crown forces and unionist paramilitaries.

Urgent Appeal