CAMPAIGNERS trying to uncover the cause of Ireland's worst air disaster have called for a new inquiry. This follows the publication of declassified British military files which, they say, support claims that test missiles fired from a military base off the Welsh coast could have been responsible for the tragedy.
Mystery still surrounds the Aer Lingus plane crash off Tuskar Rock, which killed 61 people. The plane, a Viscount, had one of the best safety records of any aircraft at the time.
The St Phelim was on a routine flight between Cork and London when it crashed into the sea off the Wexford coast on Sunday, March 24th, 1968.
Eye witnesses reported seeing a second aircraft of the type used as targets by the RAF in the area. But the British authorities have consistently denied that the missile testing site at Aberporth was operational that day.
A newly released report, however, shows that the RAF base was using and had problems during the late 1960s with missiles designed to carry out interceptions up to the height at which the air liner was flying.
The recently declassified report shows that missiles used at the time logged a 25 per cent failure rate, often locked on to the wrong targets and travelled out of the range danger area.
The families of the 61 passengers and crew members who died in the crash were never given a satisfactory explanation of what caused the accident.
The Celtic League, a group campaigning for the release of information about military activities in the area on the day, says there is now enough evidence to justify a full inquiry.