Ahern hails re-opening of bombing inquest

Political Reporter

The bombing on May 17, 1974, occurred on the same day as the Dublin bombing which killed 26 people.

The inquests into the Dublin deaths were re-opened in June, but the full inquests won’t restart until the publication of an independent report into the case by Mr Justice Barron.

The original Monaghan inquests opened and concluded in 1974, while the Dublin inquests were adjourned that year.

According to Bertie Ahern, Attorney General Rory Brady has directed the Dublin City Coroner Dr Brian Farrell to re-open the inquests.

Mr Ahern said: “I hope that the holding of the inquests will help the healing process for the families who suffered the loss of loved ones. I also hope that the report of Judge Barron into the bombings, which I expect to receive shortly, will help achieve the truth of what happened on that terrible day.”

On May 17, 1974, three bombs exploded in central Dublin within 90 seconds and another went off in Monaghan town.

Almost 20 years later the Ulster Volunteer Force said that they committed the atrocity, but nobody has ever been arrested, and suspicions linger that British military intelligence directed the eight people suspected by police of being the bombers.

Responding to Dáil questions earlier this year, Mr Ahern said the delay in the publication of the report could be attributed to the specific nature of the deliberations and the difficulties encountered by the British government in acquiring information.