The 40th anniversary of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings on 17 May was a reminder to us all of the painful legacy of that terrible day, and of the questions that remain unanswered. On 6 May, I met with survivors and families of the victims of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings and with Justice for the Forgotten and confirmed the Government’s ongoing support for their campaign. At that meeting, I announced funding of €48,000 for Justice for the Forgotten, which now operates as a project of the Pat Finucane Centre, which will be disbursed through the Reconciliation Fund operated by my Department. The Taoiseach and Minister of State Costello participated in a memorial event which took place on Talbot Street on 17 May and I was represented at a wreath-laying ceremony in Monaghan on 18 May by an official from my Department. I welcome the continued all-party support for their campaign on behalf of the Dublin/Monaghan families.
The Taoiseach and I have reiterated our support for the all-party Dáil motions of July 2008 and May 2011 urging the British Government to allow access by an independent international judicial figure to all original documents in their possession relating to the bombings.
I raised the issue of the British Government granting access to these documents when I met with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers in Dublin last week. She assured me that she will reflect afresh on what the British Government can do to respond. In the meantime, officials from my Department will continue to pursue this issue and I will continue to raise it at ministerial level.
