Taoiseach moves for new inquiry into bombs

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern will pursue the setting-up of a Cory-type investigation into the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombing atrocities with British Prime Minister Tony Blair when the two meet in September.

In announcing yesterday that it was setting up a Commission of Investigation in the South, the Government also moved for the first time to formally broach with the British Government its flagrant lack of co-operation with earlier enquiries.

Specifically, it will ask the British Government to set up an independent body that can fully examine allegations of collusion between the UVF bombers and the security forces.

The decision to set up the new private inquiry in the Republic was made at a Cabinet meeting a fortnight ago but only made public yesterday because of the need to resolve some complex issues.

In its agreement to set up the commission to inquire into two specific areas - the controversial garda investigation that was wound up only two months after the atrocity, and missing documentation - the Government has adopted the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, which reported in April.

Last night, Government sources confirmed that what was described in the statement as a Weston Park-style inquiry would follow the model of the investigations carried out by retired Canadian judge Peter Cory into five high-profile murders in the North and South, which involved allegations of State collusion.

This will be the first inquiry held under the Commissions of Investigation Act, set up as providing an alternative to Tribunals of Inquiry in some instances.

However, under the Act, evidence is taken in private and not in public, to allow a reduced dependence onlegal representation.

Reacting to the development, the Justice for the Forgotten Group said it was "astounded" to hear that the Government had opted for another private inquiry.

According to spokesperson Margaret Urwin: "We have made our position very clear. The time for private inquiries is over.

"It's long past the time the Government should live up to its commitment to bring the truth of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings into the open."

The chairman of theJustice Committee, Seán Ardagh, said he was delighted that the Government reacted so positively to the recommendation of the committee.

He said he hoped the Cory-type model may lead to a change of heart by the British Government.

The bombing on May 17, 1974, resulted in 33 deaths. No convictions were ever brought and the garda inquiry was wound down later that year.