Kenny vows to press Cameron on files

TAOISEACH Enda Kenny pledged to press British Prime Minister David Cameron today to release sensitive files about the Dublin-Monaghan bombings.

Calls for a truth commission on the Troubles by Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams, in which he has agreed to participate, were also welcomed by Mr Kenny.

But the Taoiseach stressed there were many files and details that remained unknown about the estimated 3,000 people killed in the Troubles, including by republicans.

“I will be meeting with him and I will raise it,” Mr Kenny told the Dáil.

Marking the 37th anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombs with a call for the release of the files, Mr Adams also said details should be released by the British on a bomb that killed two people in Dundalk in 1975.

But Mr Kenny hit back at the Sinn Féin demand for details about atrocities, saying: “There are many files, there are many aspects to many files, there are many issues about many atrocities about which we do not have the full facts. These relate to files in regard to 3,000 people who lost their lives.”

Mr Adams agreed there were legacy issues around the conflict and “light had to be shone on them all and that includes actions and killings caused by republicans”.

The SF leader called for the Irish and British governments to invite an international body to establish a truth commission to help give closure to victims.

“The type of healing process that we require in which all victims and survivors deserve demands that everyone, and I do this on my behalf, that we pledge ourselves to come forward to such a process, to encourage such a process and encourage others to be part of such a process.”

Mr Kenny welcomed the SF leader’s agreement to co-operate with any such commission but the Taoiseach said he would not as of yet commit to any such inquiry.

“I’m glad to hear you say [it] deputy, because you do know more about this than I do in terms of republican atrocities, that you are prepared to come forward with all of the information that you have in respect of whatever information is known to you.

“I am glad to hear you say as president of your party that you are prepared to come forward with information about republican atrocities.”

The Taoiseach reiterated an earlier commitment to ask Mr Cameron about files on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. “I don’t have access to those files but I will make the case in the best way that I can.”