Brendan Smith
Question:177 Mr. B. Smith asked the Taoiseach when the report of Mr. Justice Barron will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25617/03]
Vol. 573 No. 3
177 Mr. B. Smith asked the Taoiseach when the report of Mr. Justice Barron will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25617/03]
I received Mr. Justice Barron's report into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974 on Wednesday 29 October. Mr. Justice Barron also included in his report his consideration of the case of John Francis Green.
The bombings which took place in Dublin and Monaghan on 17 May 1974 were among the most appalling outrages in the history of this island. Three car bombs which had been placed in Parnell Street, Talbot Street and South Leinster Street exploded without warning within minutes of each other at around 5.30 p.m. As a result, 26 people and an unborn child were killed. Later, at almost 7 p.m., a fourth no-warning bomb exploded in Monaghan town, resulting in seven more people being killed. More than 240 people required hospital treatment as a result of the bombings. Not only were 34 innocent lives lost on that terrible day but the injured, relatives and friends were left a terrible legacy of pain and suffering.