Govt to receive bombings report

A long-awaited report into the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings is expected to be received by the Government today.

The Attorney General is due to vet the findings of barrister Patrick MacEntee and give legal advice on the issue to the Cabinet.

A total of 33 people died and 300 were injured when four car bombs exploded in Dublin and Monaghan on May 17, 1974.

No organisation claimed responsibility but loyalist paramilitaries were blamed for the attacks.

The Commission of Investigation into the bombings was established in April 2005 under new legislation to fast-track inquiries.

Mr MacEntee and his officials are believed to have travelled outside the Republic to interview individuals with crucial evidence.

The Justice for the Forgotten group, which campaigns on behalf of the victims of the atrocities, hopes the findings will be published before the Dail rises for its Easter break on April 5.

The group also wants a debate on collusion in the Dail and the Seanad before the general election.

The Cabinet is not holding its weekly meeting tomorrow because the Taoiseach and his ministers are travelling abroad to St Patrick’s Day events.