Dublin prays for 1974 bomb victims

The truth behind the devastating blasts which killed 34 people in Dublin and Monaghan must be revealed, relatives demanded today as they laid wreaths to remember those killed 30 years ago today.

Dozens of relatives urged Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to place pressure on the British Government to bring the killers to account as he joined mourners on Dublin’s Talbot Street.

Bernie McNally, speaking on behalf of the relatives, said: “We’ve waited long enough for the truth to emerge.

“It must happen this year in the 30th anniversary.”

Mr Ahern greeted several people who had lost loved ones to the explosions on Dublin’s Parnell Street, Talbot Street, Leinster Street, followed by a blast in Monaghan on May 17, 1974.

Moira Fay, who lost her husband Patrick as the first bomb exploded on Parnell Street, told the Taoiseach: “All I want is the truth.”

Mr Ahern said there had been discussions with the British government over evidence that may not have been brought into the public sphere.

“We have always felt it inadequate the amount of information we got from them,” he said.

“The difficulty is they have stated that they don’t have anything else.”

Mr Ahern said the Government would be looking into reports that Garda files containing information on the bombings are missing.

He said a public inquiry in Ireland would not be good enough for the relatives as it could not compel enough witnesses from outside the Republic.

“They know that a public enquiry called in this jurisdiction can compel no information from the British government or from any of the likely people,” he added.

Mourners listened to a poignant lament, from bagpipe player Joe O’Donnell, as dozens of family members placed wreaths to the victims at the monument on Dublin’s Talbot Street .

The Justice For the Forgotten group has spent many years campaigning for an inquest into the bombings on May 17, 1974, which killed 34 people including an unborn child.

“It is up to the Taoiseach to put pressure on Tony Blair to cooperate with a full public enquiry,” said Ms McNally, the chairwoman for Justice For The Forgotten.

“It’s the only way to resolve this. It’s not a money thing, it is about human rights,” she added.

The street came to a standstill as Father Tom Clowe of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Dublin’s Sean McDermott Street led the prayers.