Ahern must push Blair for ‘full public investigation’

THE organisation of victims and relatives seeking justice for the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings of May 17, 1974, Justice for the Forgotten, has won a twin-track response to the Oireachtas sub-committee’s recommendations.

A tribunal of inquiry into the garda investigation and missing government files and a full public probe by the British should be set up, say the victims of the 1974 atrocities.

It is now up to the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to move the issue forward, by announcing a tribunal will be convened before the inquest into the deaths of the 33 people who died in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. The inquest opens on April 27.

The Taoiseach has also been told his government must bluntly tell British Prime Minister Tony Blair that a full public investigation should be held into the atrocities. The sub committee said this was the preferred way forward.

At the very least the investigation must be carried out by a judge of international standing and be held in accordance with recognised human rights standards, said the committee.

“Failure to do so would be an abdication of its (the Government’s) responsibility to its citizens,” said solicitor for Justice for the Forgotten Greg O’Neill.

The families believe the inquiry here should be carried out under promised tribunal legislation and must be independent, properly resourced, with full legal powers, in public, and engage with the families.

The families praised the sub-committee for its work. Mr O’Neill said: “Given the legal constraints on the committee and the lack of detail of the (Barron) report, on the whole they’ve done a good job.”

A smaller group of relatives came out strongly against the sub-committee recommendations.

A statement on behalf of the O’Neill, O’Brien, Sunderland and Bergin families read: “This horrendous process deserves a slap on the back and a thank you from British Prime Minister Tony Blair, his cohorts in the British security services and their friends in the UVF.

“It’s a job well done by a group of politicians in 2004 that are equally failing in their responsibilities to us as their predecessors of 1974, to those of you who voted against a public inquiry, you’re a disgrace.”

Privately, the families of the majority of victims feared the committee’s report was going to be much tamer. The report, they believe, leaves room to advance the process while acknowledging the difficulties of setting up a full public inquiry in this jurisdiction, particularly as the collusion is alleged to have taken place in the North.

According to those close to the families, the committee has thrown the issues straight back onto Bertie Ahern’s lap. Chair of Justice for the Forgotten Bernie McNally said:

“On behalf of the families I would like to say we will accept the tribunal of enquiry into the garda investigation and missing files.”

Details of that must be announced before April 27.

She added that the families will reserve their position in relation to the collusion allegations.

Mr O’Neill added that if there was not an announcement before the inquest opened, the Taoiseach could end up being subpoenaed to appear before the city coroner, Brian Farrell to explain the Government’s position.

The families said that Tony Blair cannot pontificate about the war on terror at the same time as it is abundantly clear that British state agencies were involved in terrorist acts in Ireland.

Letters have been sent to the Irish and British governments outlining the position of Justice for the Forgotten.