New inquiry sought into Dublin and Monaghan bombings

Relatives of those killed and injured in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings have called for a 'Bloody Sunday-style' public inquiry to uncover the truth about the attacks which killed 33 civilians in 1974.

32-year-old Edward O’Neill, whose father was killed in one of the Dublin blasts, said he has lost faith in the current inquiry set up by the Government to investigate the atrocities, which led to the largest loss of life in any single day of the Troubles.

Mr O’Neill said a full public inquiry like the Bloody Sunday Tribunal in Derry might be able to uncover the truth and find out who was to blame for the attacks.

33 people died and hundreds were injured when loyalist paramilitaries planted three car bombs in Dublin and one in Monaghan 28 years ago this Friday.

There have long been allegations that the British army, - and by extension the British Government - colluded with the men who planted the bombs.

Last year, the Irish Government appointed Mr Justice Henry Barron to investigate the allegations and the British government has delivered a significant amount of files relating to the incident to Mr Barron’s inquiry team.

However, the Government has said that more documents must still be disclosed.

Edward O’Neill was among a group of bereaved relatives and victims of the 1974 bombings who travelled to Derry today to watch proceedings at the Bloody Sunday Tribunal.

The group met relatives of those killed and injured on Bloody Sunday and in the 1998 Omagh bombing.

Afterwards, the groups said they intend to form a loose alliance to pressure the authorities in London, Dublin and Belfast for justice.

Mr O’Neill still has shrapnel embedded in his head, leg and elbow as a result of one of the loyalist car bombs in Dublin in 1974.

His father, Edward, was killed instantly by the blast and his mother, Martha, suffered the stillbirth of her seven-month-old baby in the months following the attack.