Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 November 2015
149. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the device planted outside the Widow Scallan's pub on 21 of May 1994 was a viable explosive device; and if she has considered the implications of this information. [42034/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra150. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the device found on a Dublin Belfast train in September 1994 was a viable explosive device; and if she has considered the implications of this information. [42035/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra151. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the device found in Dundalk in County Louth on 25 May 1997 was a viable explosive device; and if she has considered the implications of this information. [42036/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra152. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the device found outside the Sinn Féin office in Monaghan on 2 March 1997 was primed to explode; and if she has considered the implications of this information. [42037/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra153. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the device planted at Dublin Airport in May 1996 was a viable explosive device; and if she has considered the implications of this information. [42038/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 149 to 153, inclusive, together.
I am aware of the incidents to which the Deputy refers in her question.
I would say at the outset that these incidents took place in the context of a period in the history of this island involving campaigns of violence undertaken by paramilitary groups. Many people lost their lives over the course of the Troubles and many suffered terrible injuries as a direct result of that paramilitary violence. Our thoughts are with the victims of violence and their families.
The devices to which the Deputy refers were viable improvised explosive devices and they were all attributed to loyalist paramilitaries. They were unjustified and unacceptable attempts to cause death, injury or damage and, or course, to terrorise. Thankfully no serious injuries resulted from these devices. However, we should recall that one man, Martin Doherty, lost his life having been shot by those who placed the bomb at the Widow Scallan's pub.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that these incidents were the subject of full investigations at the time at which they occurred and that those criminal investigations remain open.
