Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 3

Written Answers - Dublin-Monaghan Bombings.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

26 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the progress which has been made by the former Chief Justice, Mr. Liam Hamilton, in his investigation into the bombings in Dublin, Monaghan and Dundalk; when his report will be available for consideration by an Oireachtas committee; the representations he has received to have the remit of the Hamilton inquiry extended to deal with such instances as the killing of a person (details supplied) and other bombings in the Republic; if the remit of the investigation will be extended accordingly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12752/00]

John Bruton

Ceist:

27 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the progress made to date by Mr. Justice Hamilton in his investigation into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings; and if he can indicate a timescale for the investigation's future work. [13379/00]

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together.

The former Chief Justice, Mr. Liam Hamilton, began his work at the end of January. He is the sole member of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin, Monaghan and Dundalk bombings. I have made clear that, if the former chief justice requires any additional resources or support, this will be provided. Detailed terms of reference in regard to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings were agreed with the former chief justice and with the justice for the Forgotten Group representing the injured and bereaved relatives some time ago. Mr. Hamilton is currently engaged in his examination of these bombings.

While it had been hoped the former chief justice would have been able to submit his report on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings before the summer break, it is understood that this will not now be possible, although it is hoped that the report will be available in September.

Discussions between the relevant Departments and offices on the detailed terms of reference for the examination of the Dundalk bombing are close to finalisation, following which they will be the subject of consultation with the legal representatives of the victims' relatives and with Mr. Hamilton.

As regards the specific case raised by the Deputy, I have received a number of representations to have a public inquiry held into it. However, the best way forward in my view is for the Government to extend the remit of Mr. Hamilton to this case on a basis broadly similar to that which applies in the case of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. In this regard, discussions between the Departments and offices concerned on the detailed terms of reference are close to a conclusion, following which proposals will be put before the Government. If approved by the Government, the proposed terms will be the subject of consultation with Mr. Hamilton and with the legal representatives of the victim's relatives.

I have also received representations seeking different forms of examination of other cases of concern referred to in the report of the Victims Commission, such as the earlier Dublin bombings of 1972 and 1973, the Castleblaney bombing of 1976 and a fatal shooting at the bridge between Lifford and Strabane in 1971. Commissioner Wilson's report, while not recommending that these cases should be the subject of a formal inquiry, did recommend that "the Government, taking heed of the need to preserve the confidentiality and safety of information, should, on request from the families of victims, produce reports on the investigations of murders arising from the conflict over the last 30 years where no one has been made amenable."

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform will shortly make a submission to Government on the report of the Victims Commission, and this will take account of the report's recommendation in relation to these other cases.