Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Feb 1995

Vol. 448 No. 7

Written Answers. - Dublin and Monaghan Bombings.

Robert Molloy

Question:

14 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Justice if the Garda Commissioner's report into the circumstances surrounding the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in 1974 and the subsequent investigation into the bombings following the Yorkshire TV documentary, the Forgotten Massacre, has been completed; the steps, if any, the Government will take on foot of this report; if the Garda files on the investigation are still open; if she will establish a judicial inquiry to bring the perpetrators to justice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2813/95]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

24 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice the results of the investigation into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings to date; if the families of the victims have been informed of the results; when they will be made public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2827/95]

Tony Gregory

Question:

35 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice the findings of the Garda investigation into the Yorkshire Television documentary on the 1974 Dublin/Monaghan bombings. [1001/95]

Dermot Ahern

Question:

63 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice if she will make known, by 1 April 1995, the findings of the Garda inquiry into the 1994 Dublin and Monaghan bombings arising from the broadcasting of a programme by Yorkshire Television entitled Hidden Hand-the Forgotten Massacre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1923/95]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

67 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice if she intends to hold a public inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2835/95]

Tony Killeen

Question:

70 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Justice if she will hold a sworn public inquiry to establish the facts in relation to the bombings in this State on 17 May 1974, and the failure to bring subsequent charges. [2838/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I propose to take Question Nos. 14, 24, 35, 63, 67 and 70 together.

I am conscious that the relatives of the victims and the House have been waiting for a statement on the outcome of the Garda investigation into the issues raised by the Yorkshire Television Programme on the Dublin and Monaghan bomb outrages shown in July 1993 for some time. The matter has been ongoing since then, nearly 18 months. It is my intention that the matter will now be brought to a conclusion and that a statement be made as quickly as possible on the investigation.

I can assure the House that I will honour the commitment made by the former Minister to meet with the families of the victims of the bombings to advise them of the outcome in advance of issuing that statement.

The question of holding a public inquiry is one of the issues I will need to consider carefully. I am far from convinced that this course would serve any useful purpose and might actually be damaging.

My reason for doubting the value of a public inquiry — and I stress that this is a preliminary view on which I am being honest with the House — is that it would not assist in any way in identifying and convicting the perpetrators. This is something which can only be achieved by means of a trial, based on actual evidence presented in a court of law.

The potential damage lies in the fact that the criminal investigation file in this case remains open — a public inquiry could damage rather than assist the criminal investigation. I repeat that I am giving a preliminary, but honest, assessment of the likely value of a public inquiry.