Call on Britain to release files

The Dublin parliament has urged the British government to release security files on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.

A total of 34 people were killed when bombs planted by unionist paramilitaries, in apparent collusion with British forces, were detonated in Dublin and Monaghan in May 1974.

Nobody has ever been convicted of the atrocities.

On Thursday [yesterday], the Dail passed an all-party motion urging the British government to release files relating to the bombings to an independent international judge.

The motion arose out of debates on Crown-force collusion held earlier this year.

The text urges the British government “to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents held by the British government relating to the atrocities” with a view to resolving the crimes.

The Justice for the Forgotten group, which represents victims of the bombings, yesterday called on the British government to act promptly.

“This is a very significant move and it carries considerable weight,” spokeswoman Margaret Unwin said.

“It has the support of the three [Irish] government parties as well as opposition parties and Justice for the Forgotten is calling for speedy progress on this matter from the British government.”

The Dail is also forwarding for the consideration by the British government boxes of reports compiled over several years by an all-party committee and by Mr Justice Barron.

There was no time for a debate on the issue yesterday as the Dail was adjourning for its summer recess.

Urgent Appeal