Campaign for truth on Dublin Monaghan bombings must continue – Matt Carthy TD
Cavan Monaghan Sinn Fein TD, Matt Carthy, attended a memorial event at Talbot Street, Dublin which marked the 48th anniversary of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings.
Carthy commended the survivors and families of victims of the bombings for their relentless pursuit of truth and justice. He described it as ‘scandalous’ that the campaign must continue. He also said it was a bitter coincidence that the event took place while the British government were announcing their amnesty for state forces in Westminster.
Speaking after the event Deputy Carthy said:
“As a representative of the people of Monaghan, I was proud to join the gathering at the memorial on Talbot Street to remember the families of the 33 civilians and one unborn child who died in the Dublin-Monaghan bombings in May 1974, and to pay tribute to those who have campaigned for truth and justice over the five decades since. It is scandalous that the campaign must continue.
“The Dublin-Monaghan bombings were carried out by the Glennane gang based in South Armagh which included UVF, MI5, RUC, as well as UDR members.
“The co-ordinated, no warning bombings resulted in the highest amount of deaths and casualties in the conflict and yet, no one has ever been brought to justice.
“In 2008, 2011 and 2016, the Dáil unanimously passed motions on the bombings, which called on the British Government to release any relevant files that they hold and for the Irish Government to press them to comply with this reasonable request.
“The British government has, however, remained steadfast in its refusal to release the files. In my view, Irish governments have not been sufficiently robust in challenging this refusal.
“It is important that we continue to remember those lost as we resolve to continue the campaign for truth. It is also important that we commend the Justice for the Forgotten organisation for their work in leading that campaign.
“Their struggle and search for truth and justice has been a long and a difficult one and continues to be delayed by this British Government.
British amnesty proposals
“It was a bitter coincidence that, as the commemorative event for the Dublin Monaghan bombings was taking place, the British government were announcing their so-called legacy measures for state forces in Westminster.
“These latest proposals are effectively an amnesty through the back door for British state forces, their intelligence services and agents who murdered Irish citizens during the conflict in Ireland.
“These proposals have been opposed by the victims, their families and by political parties, north and south.
“It is yet another example of this Tory government attempting to bin an international agreement made with the Irish government and the other parties at Stormont House in 2014 which gave victims and their families access to truth, justice and reconciliation.
“This is also an attempt to shut citizens out of the courts, to deny families inquests on the deaths of their loved ones, to deny access to judicial reviews and to the civil courts.
“The British government is acting like a totalitarian state and their actions are a cruel blow to families who have waited more than five decades on truth and justice.
“The campaigns by the families cannot be wished away by a British government determined to pull a veil of secrecy over the actions of the state during the conflict.
“Sinn Féin will continue to stand with the families in their campaigns for truth and justice.
“There is also an onus on the Irish government to stand up for the agreement it made with the British government and oppose this latest heartless attempt to close down truth and justice.”
ENDS
