SF calls for Dail debate on Dublin/Monaghan bombings

Sinn Fein TD Caoimhghin O’Caolain has called for a special Dail debate on the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings after reports at the weekend suggested British attempts to cover up collusion in the attacks.

The reports in the Sunday Tribune said the British Government planned to mount a ‘sovereign immunity’ defence over allegations that its secret service agents were involved in the devastating bombings, which killed 33 people.

Leaked documents printed by the newspaper showed that Britain planned to claim immunity from prosecution if faced with civil action by bereaved relatives and victims of the attacks.

Other documents reproduced by the newspaper indicated that British officials explored how to defend damages claims against individual agents.

The documents appear to show that, if evidence existed against any of the agents, the British Government would disown them and claim that they were not following government policy by colluding with loyalist paramilitaries.

The documents have fuelled suspicions that the British army helped those who carried out the three car bombs in Dublin and one in Monaghan town which still count as the worst loss of life in any single day of the Troubles.

Mr O’Caolain said the new information is “virtually an admission of guilt” and called for the Dail to debate the matter this week.