Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
411. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date on the investigations into the bombing in Belturbet in County Cavan in December 1972, which resulted in the deaths of two innocent teenagers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14943/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra412. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will support the case made to the Police Ombudsman in Northern Ireland, on the need to carry out the appropriate and full investigations in Northern Ireland into the bombing in Belturbet in County Cavan in December 1972; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14944/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 412 together.
I would like to express my sympathy to the families of Patrick Stanley and Geraldine O'Reilly on the tragic loss of their loved ones in the Belturbet bombing. It was a senseless and brutal act of violence which tragically took the lives of two innocent young people. One can only imagine the pain and suffering the families have endured in trying to come to terms with the grief of their loss.
It is, of course, a continuing disappointment that no one was ever held responsible for this atrocity and the murder of two young people. The bombing and murders in Belturbet were the subject of a thorough investigation at the time by An Garda Síochána, with expert assistance provided to the investigation by the Army. The investigation also involved close liaison with the authorities in Northern Ireland in an effort to bring the perpetrators to justice. Although every avenue of inquiry which was open to the investigation was pursued at that time there was no evidence to bring those responsible to justice.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the investigation into these murders remains open and should any new or additional evidence emerge from any source, it will be actively pursued by An Garda Síochána.
The Deputy will be aware that the Barron Commission of Inquiry in the second of its reports inquired into the Belturbet bombing, amongst a number of other atrocities which were carried out in the early 1970s. My Department and An Garda Síochána engaged fully with the Barron Inquiry and made their files in relation to this and other incidents available to that Inquiry.
While the Deputy will understand that I have no role in respect of the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman's Office, I fully understand the families' efforts in continuing to seek justice for their loved ones.
The Deputy will be aware that dealing with the legacy of the troubles on this island is difficult. The Stormont House Agreement sets out a series of useful measures to put in place an overarching framework to deal with the past. The Government is fully committed to playing its part in implementing those measures and I hope they may provide an opportunity for the families of persons killed during the troubles to access further information.
