Documentary prompts new calls for independent inquiry into Dublin and Monaghan bombings

There are fresh calls for the British government to order an independent inquiry into alleged collusion during the Troubles.

The call comes after an RTÉ documentary containing new claims about alleged collusion between the North's security forces and loyalist paramilitaries.

The claims relate to a number of atrocities - including the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.

Paul O'Connor of the Pat Finucane Centre is one of those campaigning for an inquiry.

"I think the problem is that the steady flood of allegations is actually quite damaging to present-day policing," he said.

"And we need to separate present-day policing from the past, and we need to deal with the past and have that dealt with, because I think the families have a right to have it dealt with."

Yasmine Ahmed, Director of Rights Watch UK, said that the British government must now accept that nothing less than an independent investigation is required into the numerous allegations of collusion.

“For years Whitehall officials have claimed that they were not aware, nor had reason to be aware, of the dirty war that was being carried out in their name in Northern Ireland,” she said.

“The government has continually claimed this was the action of a few rouge individuals who were not directed or known to politicians in Whitehall.

“This is a fallacy. Not only did the UK Government know that it was happening but indirectly sanctioned it.

“Rights Watch (UK) has long argued that there is clear evidence of state involvement in murders in Northern Ireland, and has supported those that have sought to expose it.

“The government must now accept that nothing but an independent investigation will be sufficient to ensure the families and victims have access to the truth and an adequate remedy.

“The lack of a public inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane, and the failure by the police to investigate the Glennane Gang and Kingsmill cases show the inadequacy of the current investigatory system in cases where there is clear evidence of collusion.

“We must ensure that there is adequate accountability for the past so that these dirty tactics are never utilised again.'”