Relatives group takes case to European human rights court

A RELATIVES’ group of people killed and injured in the 1974 Dublin-Monaghan bombings said yesterday they would be taking their case to the European Court of Human Rights.

Justice for the Forgotten (JFF) claim they now have evidence to back up claims of collusion in the loyalist bombings which killed 33 people.

Greg O’Neill, JFF solicitor, said: “We have moved beyond the suspicion and speculation.

“Having spent 11 years working on this case in different forms, the families and their lawyers are satisfied we have now prima facie evidence of collusion and participation in the bombings.”

The group said it would be lodging two complaints with the European Court.

Firstly, that there is prima facie evidence the British Government in 1974 colluded in the bombings.

And secondly that the United Kingdom had breached its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights by failing to co-operate with inquiries.

The group also repeated its demand for a full public inquiry into the bombings and criticised the Irish Government of the time.

Mr O’Neill said: “We urge the Oireachtas to call for, and the Government to establish in this State, nothing less than a public tribunal of inquiry into those grave matters which require immediate investigation.”

JFF said an investigation could only be conducted effectively with the participation of the British Government.