Hand over Showband killings files

THE findings of the Historical Enquiries Team in the North into the murders of three members of the Miami Showband carried out by the UVF in 1975 is a step along the path to justice and closure for those killed and bereaved (Spectre of collusion in Miami Showband killings, December 15).

The dignity displayed by the families of the Miami Showband members during their 37 years campaigning for justice, not revenge, acknowledgement of the pain and hurt inflicted, not recrimination, is in such contrast to the vileness of this act.

The revelations that a number of those involved in the killings were serving soldiers of the UDR and also included an RUC Special agent, is a most disturbing element.

The findings clearly implicate NI state security forces in the murders of Irish citizens.

Repeated calls by the Irish government for Britain to release files in its possession, identified in the Barron Report, which might be of assistance in bringing to justice those involved in this horrific murder, and indeed those killed in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, has been consistently rejected.

If the Irish government had in its possession files which might be of assistance in identifying those responsible for the Birmingham and Guildford pub bombings in Britain in 1974 in which 26 innocent people lost their lives, and if, following a request from our British neighbours for the Irish government to release these files and they refused, the British government and the British people would be rightly outraged. Ireland would be regarded as a pariah nation and treated accordingly.

Surely the pursuance of justice for the victims of the Miami Show massacre is no less worthy than the pursuance of justice by the British government for those killed and bereaved at Lockerbie, nor is it any less worthy than the pursuance by the US government of the perpetrators of the attack on the Twin Towers in New York in 2001.

Why does the Irish government accept lesser standards of justice for her own citizens who have been murdered than the UK and US authorities do? If London continues to refuse to hand over relevant documentation on these murders then the Irish government should seek the assistance of Berlin and Boston.

Tom Cooper

Delaford Lawn

Knocklyon

Dublin 16