Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
363. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the 1972 Dublin bombings, the investigation and supports for the victims and their families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14481/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra392. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the Dublin bombings of 1972 and 1973; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14748/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 363 and 392 together.
The troubles on this island exacted a tragic human cost in terms of the lives lost and the very many people injured and families bereaved by the many acts of violence over the course of what was a dark period in the history of this island. The human suffering inflicted by the many acts of violence, such as the bombings in Dublin in 1972 and 1973, is still felt to this very day and our thoughts are with the victims of the many atrocities perpetrated over the course of the troubles and their families.
The late Mr. Justice Henry Barron carried out a detailed and painstaking independent inquiry into the awful events to which the Deputy refers and, indeed, other atrocities that took place between 1972 and 1976 in which so many innocent people lost their lives. Related matters were also investigated by a Commission of Investigation carried out by Mr. Patrick McEntee SC.
As the Deputy will know, an extensive Garda investigation was carried out at the time of these bombings involving liaison with police forces in Northern Ireland and Great Britain, and with the support of the Defence Forces. Unfortunately, it did not prove possible to bring any persons to justice for these crimes. That said the Garda investigations into these and other, similar crimes remain open and if any new or additional evidence becomes available it will be pursued fully.
Arising from the report of the Barron Inquiry and the subsequent report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women’s Rights the Garda Commissioner in 2005 appointed a dedicated liaison officer for the victims of the bombings in Dublin in 1972 and 1973 and in Dublin and Monaghan in 1974. This dedicated liaison service has been in place since then. It is currently provided by the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Dublin.
It is the policy of the Garda Síochána to provide effective liaison with the victims of crime and their families. The Garda Síochána is strongly aware of the importance of victims in the criminal justice system and will continue to make efforts to ensure their needs are met, particularly in respect of making information available to them. The Garda authorities are conscious of the need to ensure that the liaison process is operated in order to best address the needs of the individual victims while at the same time ensuring that criminal investigations would not be in any way compromised.
In achieving this and in the interests of operational effectiveness, Garda liaison with the victims of serious crime and their families, such as those crimes related to the Troubles, is provided directly to them from the Garda Division and investigation team which is investigating the case at hand. The Gardaí in the Division which is investigating a case are in possession of the detailed and up-to-date information with regard to it and are, therefore, best placed to interact with the victims and their families. Such interaction is done directly by or under the supervision of the relevant Garda Superintendent.
I am sure the Deputy will agree that we must always be conscious that the victims of crime are individuals with individual needs and that any approach must take into account the specific requirements of the individuals themselves.
