Vol. 486 No. 6
32 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will order the release of the Garda files on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings of 17 May 1974, in which 33 people died, to enable relatives to proceed with their international human rights case against the British Government. [3124/98]
I have no power to order the release of Garda investigation files. I fully understand the reluctance to release the files because of the fear that subsequent actions or investigations could be prejudiced, and that the chances of a prosecution, even at this late stage, could be compromised as a result. Another very good reason for not releasing criminal investigation files is that many of them will inevitably contain information about suspects. It would not only be wrong in principle to expose the names of persons who have not been convicted —they are suspects but no more than that —it could be dangerous to do so in certain cases.
At a meeting which I had with the relatives on 8 October 1997, I said I would genuinely try to produce a response which the relatives would find helpful. I am conscious there is a pending Supreme Court appeal by them against a decision of the High Court to refuse them access to the papers.
I am still examining the sitution to see if a way can be found to meet the concerns of the relatives in this distressing case and I want to assure the Deputy that I will be reverting to them the moment I have arrived at my decision.
