Barron committee unhappy at Murphy refusal

The refusal of the Northern Ireland Secretary of State and his two predecessors to attend the Oireachtas sub-committee on the Barron report was roundly condemned by the committee members yesterday.

Mr Paul Murphy and the former Northern Secretaries, Mr John Reid and Mr Peter Mandelson, were asked to appear before the committee to discuss the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.

Responding on behalf of the three men, Mr Murphy wrote to the committee last Friday, saying the British government had sought to co-operate fully with the Barron inquiry and had released all relevant information, "including that from some very sensitive sources".

"I therefore do not believe that there is anything further of use that either I or John or Peter would be in a position to say in a hearing before your sub-committee," Mr Murphy wrote.

He also said that the release of some intelligence material could "compromise intelligence assets or the lives of sources".

Fine Gael deputy Mr Paul McGrath said this was "a huge allegation" against Mr Justice Barron. He said the committee should bring Mr Murphy's comments to the Taoiseach's attention.

Mr Murphy pointed out that none of the three politicians were in office at the time of the events and so were not able to recall the situation within government at that time.

"I have personally ensured that the information has been provided in the fullest possible manner, consistent with my responsibilities to protect national security and the lives of individuals."

Mr Murphy said there was no evidence to suggest that there was a policy of collusion by the British or Northern Ireland security forces.

He said there was some intelligence information relating to possible loyalist activity in the Republic before the Dublin and Monaghan attacks, but Northern Ireland security forces successfully disrupted the loyalists' plans when specific plans were uncovered.

"We have uncovered no evidence to suggest that information of relevance about loyalist planning for attacks in the Republic of Ireland - even of a general nature - was, or would have been, deliberately withheld by the Northern Ireland security forces from their Irish counterparts," he said.

The conviction of the RUC and UDR for collusion with loyalist paramilitaries in the 1970s showed that the Northern Ireland authorities took such matters seriously, he said.

Mr Murphy said he could not uncover anything to confirm or refute the allegation that the security forces deliberately obstructed the Garda investigation.

Pointing to the conclusion by the Barron inquiry that information was withheld from the Secretary of State of the day, he said: "I am satisfied that I am fully briefed by my officials and that no relevant information has been withheld."

The chairman of the Oireachtas committee, Mr Seán Ardagh (FF) said the response was "very disappointing".

He said the committee would have to discuss the issue in private session to see what they should do next.