Taoiseach Simon Harris TD, and Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, will represent the Government at today’s memorial event remembering the 34 people, including one unborn baby, killed in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings on this day fifty years ago, 17 May 1974. That day witnessed the greatest loss of life in a single day in the Troubles. Today’s ceremony takes place in Talbot Street, at the monument to those killed in the bombings.
President Higgins will address the memorial event, which is organised by Justice for the Forgotten. Justice for the Forgotten represents bereaved families and survivors of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and other atrocities.
The memorial, which will be preceded by a church service in St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, is an opportunity to remember all those who lost their lives that day, in four separate but associated bomb explosions in Parnell Street, Talbot Street and South Leinster Street in Dublin, and Heaton’s Corner in Monaghan Town. It is also a moment to recall the over 300 people injured in the bombings, and the families on this island, in Italy and in France, whose lives were affected by the deaths and injuries.
Speaking in advance of the memorial, the Taoiseach said:
“On 17 May 1974, just as a busy and bustling Friday afternoon was drawing to a close in Dublin city centre, three no-warning bombs exploded on the streets of our capital and a fourth some ninety minutes later in the centre of Monaghan Town. It was the greatest loss of life in a single day during the Troubles, leaving so many families devastated.
“Today, fifty years on from that dark day, I remember all those who lost their lives and were injured, and think of their families. I know their hurt has been compounded by a lack of truth and of justice for the victims since, and of immediate support for the families in the difficult years that followed. Today, we honour the memories of those who died, the more than 300 people injured, and the bereaved, both those living and those who have died in the years since. Today, Dublin and Monaghan remember.”
The Tánaiste said:
“Today I remember all those who lost their lives, all those injured and all those whose lives were affected by the horrific bombs in Dublin and Monaghan on 17 May 1974. The tragedies of that day live on in families in Ireland, and abroad.
“The loss and suffering of families was magnified by inadequate investigation at that time. The Barron and MacEntee inquiries answered some questions and raised some more, including the possibility of collusion. I have been following up with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the provision of sensitive material which may help answer some of those questions. I hope that the current investigation, known as Operation Denton, into the activities of the Glenanne gang – who are suspected of involvement in the bombings – will also assist families when it eventually makes its report.”
President Higgins will also attend a memorial event in Monaghan Town today to remember those killed and injured there on 17 May 1974. Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD will represent the Government in Monaghan Town.
Notes for Editors
Background
Four bombs exploded in Dublin and Monaghan on 17 May 1974. Three were in Dublin, almost simultaneously at around 5.30pm in Parnell Street, Talbot Street and South Leinster Street. A fourth bomb exploded at around 7pm, in Monaghan Town.
34 people, including one unborn baby, were killed. Most of those killed were from Ireland, but the dead included an Italian man and a French woman. Over 300 people were injured. This was the most people killed in any single day during the Troubles.
Investigations at the time of the bombs were inconclusive but the attacks were attributed to loyalists. The bombs were claimed by the UVF in a 1993 statement.
Families, organised as Justice for the Forgotten, campaigned for an inquiry. In 1999, the Irish Victims Commissioner – a position created further to the Good Friday Agreement – John Wilson proposed a judicial inquiry, and this call was accepted by the then Government of Ireland. That inquiry, chaired by Mr Justice Henry Barron, reported in 2003. Critical of the initial investigation by the Gardaí, Barron attributed the attacks to the UVF’s Glenanne gang and suggested that there might be collusion involving British State actors. A further investigation, by Seamus MacEntee SC, reported in 2007 on why the initial Garda investigation had been flawed.
In order to substantiate, or eliminate, suspicions of collusion, successive Irish Governments have requested access to certain British files relating to the bombings. To date, responses to these requests have not been forthcoming. However, it is hoped that the Northern Ireland investigation into the activities of the Glenanne gang, Operation Denton, may, when it finally reports, help answer some further questions. Denton is part of the Operation Kenova suite of investigations.
Justice for the Forgotten
The Memorial event is organised by Justice for the Forgotten. JFF was established to represent families of those affected by the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 17 May 1974, and also now represents families affected by other atrocities. It is supported by the Government’s Reconciliation Fund, having previously been supported by the Government’s Remembrance Commission, until that Commission was stood down in 2008.
ENDS
