16 November 2004:

PUBLICATION OF BARRON REPORT ON DUBLIN BOMBINGS OF
DECEMBER 1972 & JANUARY 1973

The Barron report on the Dublin bombings of 1 December 1972 and 20 January 1973 is due to be published on Wednesday, 17 November 2004 by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights at approximately 6 pm.

On 1 December 1972 car bombs exploded at Sackville Place and Liberty Hall, killing two CIE employees, George Bradshaw and Tommy Duffy, as the Amendment to the Offences against the State Act was being debated in Dáil Éireann. The Bill was set for defeat until the bombs exploded, causing Fine Gael, who were in Opposition, to abstain from voting, thus allowing the Bill to pass into law.

On 20 January 1973, a car bomb exploded in Sackville Place for the second time, killing another CIE employee, Tommy Douglas.

The report will also deal with other atrocities of the early 1970s including the car bomb explosion at Belturbet on 28 December 1972, which killed two young teenagers, Geraldine O'Reilly and Patrick Stanley.

Justice for the Forgotten will present its response at a press conference in the Davenport Hotel (Gandon Suite South), Merrion Square, at 7 pm. The bereaved families, survivors and the legal team will be available for interviews and comments.

For further details please contact:

Margaret Urwin

On 01-8554300 or 087-2237338