By motions of referral of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann today, a report by the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Bombing of Kay's Tavern, Dundalk, has been referred to this joint committee. The joint committee met today to consider said report.
This is the text of the interim report. The joint committee conveys its deepest condolences to the victims and families of the victims of a car bomb explosion on Crowe Street, Dundalk, outside Kay's Tavern in December 1975, the gun and bomb attack carried out at Donnelly's Bar in Silverbridge, County Armagh, also in December that year, the bombing at Dublin in November 1975, the car bomb outside the Three Star Inn in Castleblayney, County Monaghan, in March 1976, the explosion and murder at Ballinrath Bridge, County Kildare, in June 1975, the bomb at Swanlinbar, County Cavan, in February 1976, the murders perpetrated between 1974 and 1976 at Dungannon, County Tyrone, at Castleblayney, County Monaghan, on the road to Newry at Newtownhamilton and Whitecross in Armagh, at Guilford, County Down, Charlemont, Ahoghill, County Antrim, and in the gun and bomb attack at Keady, County Armagh.
I, Seán Ardagh, TD, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, having been authorised by the committee to submit this report, do hereby present and publish a report of the committee entitled Interim Report on the Report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Bombing of Kay's Tavern, Dundalk. The report was received by the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights today, Wednesday, 5 July 2006. In accordance with the referral motions by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann today, the committee has decided to establish a sub-committee to consider, including in public session, the report and to report back to the joint committee so that the joint committee can report back to the Houses of the Oireachtas by 17 November 2006. As part of the consideration of the report, the committee intends that the sub-committee will invite submissions from interested parties and bodies and hold public hearings in autumn 2006 with a view to producing a final report on the matter. The report will detail submissions received, the hearings held and such comments, recommendations or conclusions as the committee may decide to make. Said report will be published.
