Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Jul 1993

Vol. 433 No. 6

Written Answers. - 1974 Dublin/Monaghan Bombings.

Ivor Callely

Question:

76 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the programme on the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings as broadcast on Yorkshire Television on Tuesday, 6 July 1993; her views on whether the programme highlighted issues which warrant immediate and special investigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

I have seen the programme to which the Deputy refers.

As I have informed the House, in answer to previous Questions on the subject, the appalling bombings in Dublin and Monaghan in 1974 were the subject of an intensive Garda investigation over a protracted period of time during which all relevant leads were pursued. Unfortunately, despite those intensive inquiries no charges have so far been brought in connection with the bombings.

It has never been the practice to report to the House on the progress or findings of an ongoing Garda investigation but I can say that I have been assured by the Garda authorities that their files on these cases remain open. The Garda are at present considering the contents of last nights programme with a view to assessing whether there are any matters which require further investigation.

In this connection I welcome the assurance at the conclusion of last nights programme that the programme makers will co-operate with any properly constituted inquiry. The proper and most appropriate form of inquiry in this instance is the police investigation which is already in being.

I cannot say any more at this stage except to say that any investigation into crimes of this nature must have as its purpose the collection of sufficient evidence, which will be admissible in a court of law, to enable the perpetrators to be brought to justice. It is only a properly conducted Garda investigation that will achieve that end and it would be misleading to pretend otherwise. Suspicions, however strongly held they may be, do not secure criminal convictions. I can assure the House that the gardaí have my full support on their ongoing investigation into these horrendous crimes against the people of Dublin and Monaghan.