asked the Minister for Justice the progress that has been made in the investigations of the Monaghan and Dublin bombings in May, 1974.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Monaghan and Dublin Bombings.
19.
(Cavan): I am informed by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána that Garda investigations of these outrages continue although nobody has so far been made amenable for them.
Is the Minister not aware that it is a well-known fact that three people have been arrested, interned in Northern Ireland and released who, it is well known, were responsible for this outrage?
(Cavan): I have no more information of a specific nature about that than has the Deputy. As far as the Garda Síochána are concerned, they have not received evidence from the RUC that particular persons perpetrated these outrages. They have no positive information or evidence that would identify the culprits.
Is it not a fact that the Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland stated that those three people were in their custody at one stage?
(Cavan): I understand that is so. But, in so far as the Garda Síochána are concerned, they have no positive information with which to identify the people who committed these outrages.
In other words, the Minister is saying co-operation is on one side only. Surely the information as to the people responsible for these terrible outrages just over a year ago this month would have been passed on to the Garda Síochána?
(Cavan): I am not saying that. The fact that these people were interned might suggest—if they were interned—there was not evidence sufficient to sustain conviction. Even if these were the people who were guilty, the offence was committed here and, unless the reciprocal legislation which is now being sponsored here and in Britain were available, it would not be possible to bring these people to justice in Northern Ireland for crimes committed here.
The Minister gave an indication that he did not even know who committed those crimes?
(Cavan): Neither do I.
Is the Minister not aware of the fact that the Under Secretary of State was certain who were the people involved?
The Deputy has already posed that supplementary question.
(Cavan): I have only the same information as the Deputy.