Bombing report won't lead to prosecutions, says Ahern

Nobody will be brought to justice on the back of the long-awaited report into the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings, the Taoiseach said today.

The findings, which were compiled by barrister Patrick MacEntee, are still being studied by the Attorney General.

Bertie Ahern today told the Dáil he had read a large part of the report but he didn’t think it would result in prosecutions.

“I haven’t got through all of it yet, but I’ve read a substantial amount of it.

“It will be help the overall debate. It has to be taken in the context of the Nuala O’Loan (Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman) collusion reports and previous reports by Justice Barron and Justice Hamilton.

“There is no doubt that around some of the issues investigated by these reports, collusion did take place.

“But how much light can we throw on evidence at this remove, I don’t know.

“It will help us in our understanding but my own view is that I don’t think it will help in the area of prosecutions.”

Thirty-three 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 widely blamed for the attacks.

Mr Ahern still hopes to publish the findings before the Dáil rises for its Easter recess on April 5 but families of the victims must first receive copies.

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

It was due to provide a final report to An Taoiseach within six months, but later applied for eight extensions in almost two years.

Following publication, the Justice for the Forgotten group wants a debate on collusion in the Dáil and the Seanad before the general election.

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

The terms of reference of the Commission of Investigation were to undertake a thorough investigation and make a report on specific matters considered by the Government, including why the garda investigation into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings was wound down in 1974 and why the gardaí did not follow up a number of leads.