17 April 2007

SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF JUSTICE FOR THE FORGOTTEN ON THE OCCASION OF THE 33RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE DUBLIN & MONAGHAN BOMBINGS

Today, 17th May 2007, marks the 33rd anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in which 34 people, including an unborn baby, lost their lives in four no-warning car bombs. These bombings were carried out by the Ulster Volunteer Force either directed or assisted by members of the British security forces.

Another milestone in our campaign for truth and justice was reached last month with the publication of the MacEntee report into aspects of the Garda investigation into the bombings. However, Mr. MacEntee was unable to fulfil the remit laid down in his terms of reference due to shambolic Garda record keeping. Files, forensic evidence and photographs were found to be missing, which made the work of the Commission of Investigation impossible.

Justice for the Forgotten is still awaiting an apology from the Garda Commissioner for the cavalier attitude, or worse, of his predecessors to Ireland's most heinous crime.

The report has raised many questions, which will be pursued vigorously with the new, incoming Government.

Also, as soon as the new Government is installed, we will be requesting that a full debate on collusion be held in both Houses into all cross-Border attacks in the 1970s as recommended by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice,
Equality, Defence and Women's Right last November and which the outgoing Taoiseach has committed to holding.

We welcome the new dispensation in Northern Ireland but it is patently obvious that Britain has to own up to its role in the conflict before bereaved families and survivors have any hope of putting the past behind them. Despite the heralded new close relationship between Ireland and Britain and between Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern, Britain has failed to co-operate satisfactorily with all inquiries established by this State into cross-Border attacks in the 1970s.

We want to send out the message loud and clear on this 33rd anniversary that our campaign for truth and justice will continue until our aims are achieved.
END

CEREMONIES ON ANNIVERSARY

11.30 am Wreath-laying ceremony at memorial in Talbot Street (Amiens Street end) where the Chairperson's speech will be delivered
to be immediately followed by the laying of a wreath at memorial to victims of Dublin bombings of 1972 and 1973 at Sackville Place
12.45 pm Anniversary Mass in St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1

For further details please contact Margaret Urwin, Secretary
on 01-8554300 or 087-2237338