Taoiseach reports ‘progress’ into 1974 bombings

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern last night revealed an inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings was making “considerable progress” in investigating the atrocity.

As he confirmed the Commission of Investigation headed by Patrick MacEntee SC had been granted until the end of May to complete its report, Mr Ahern said it was vital the inquiry was given the time it required.

“It is clear from Mr MacEntee’s third interim report that he has made considerable progress in addressing the various issues in his terms of reference. It is equally clear that the Commission of Investigation requires more time to pursue specific inquiries,” Mr Ahern said.

“It is, of course, unfortunate that the victims and survivors of these terrible atrocities will have to wait a further period before the final report is available. However, I believe they will agree on the importance of Mr MacEntee being allowed sufficient time to pursue any lines of inquiry that he deems relevant.”

The Commission of Investigation into the 1974 bombings, which killed 33 people and one unborn child, requested a further extension. In the last few months it has been approached with new information to aid its inquiry.

Relatives of those killed in the three car bombs in Dublin and one in Monaghan are hopeful any new source of information could boost their search for justice.

The commission was set up last May to investigate why the original Garda investigation was wound down, why officers did not follow-up certain leads, how documents relating to the case went missing and whether appropriate systems were in place to prevent papers going missing again.

The final report has now been extended until May.