Families of victims of Dublin-Monaghan bombs remain ‘firm in quest for justice’

Sharon Askin holding a picture of her parents Patrica and Paddy on their wedding day at her home in Armagh city. Paddy was killed in a no-warning bomb in Monaghan on 17 May 1974. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

The families of victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings remain firm in their quest for justice 50 years on, Helen McEntee has said.

The Justice Minister said the anniversary of the atrocity on Friday brought a new determination to find out what happened on May 17 1974.

On that date three no-warning bombs went off across Dublin city centre and one exploded in Monaghan town.

No-one has ever been convicted over the bombings but the loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) admitted responsibility in 1993.

An official memorial in Dublin honours the 35 victims of the bombings, which included two unborn babies.

It remains the greatest loss of life on any single day of the Troubles.

A commemoration event will take place at the Talbot Street memorial on Friday attended by Ireland’s president Michael D Higgins, premier Simon Harris and deputy premier Micheál Martin.

Mr Higgins will also lay a wreath in Monaghan on Friday evening.

Sharon Askin holding a picture of her parents Patrica and Paddy on their wedding day at her home in Armagh city. 

Ms McEntee said it was a day to “remember and reflect”.

She added: “Fifty years have passed since that dreadful day on the streets of Dublin city centre and Monaghan town.

“It is as incomprehensible today, as it was all those decades ago, to think that bombs could be planted so callously, with no regard for human life.

“Three bombs exploded in Dublin city centre and a fourth in Monaghan Town.

“The scale of the attack was without compare, it is the greatest loss of life on a single day of the Troubles.

“Such a large scale tragic and unjustified loss of life continues to effect countless families.

“Despite the passage of time, they continue to feel the loss of their loved ones deeply.” The minister said the families’ loss had been compounded “by the frustration and hurt of unanswered questions”.

Ms McEntee added: “The survivors and the families of the victims remain firm in their quest for justice and for information about what happened to their loved ones.

“The Government is fully committed to seeking out the truth behind those events and, hopefully, to secure some measure of comfort for the victims’ families and the survivors.

“This landmark anniversary brings with it a new focus and desire to establish the truth of what happened on May 17 1974.

“The Government for our part, will continue to pursue all possible avenues to uncover the truth of what happened on this day in 1974.”