Inquiry into bombings of 1974 not ruled out

It was not the Government's intention to lock the door on the possibility of a public inquiry in relation to the 1974 Dublin/Monaghan or Dundalk bombings, the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, said.

Answering questions on the report of the Victims Commission headed by a former Tanaiste, Mr John Wilson, the Minister said it was published on August 5th, and a period of three months was allowed for responses by interested parties. He invited those comments to be made by November 5th, and would take these into account when bringing proposals to Government regarding implementation of the recommendations.

The Government had already decided that an eminent legal person should be appointed to inquire privately into the Dublin/Monaghan and Dundalk bombings and into the case of Mr Seamus Ludlow, along the lines recommended in the report.

"It is not the intention of the Government, nor was it the intention of Mr Wilson, to lock the door on there being any public inquiry in relation to the Dublin/Monaghan or Dundalk bombings," he stated.

After the investigation, the report would be published. After that they would see if there was a recommendation forthcoming to the effect that there should be a public inquiry.

Mr Jim Higgins, Fine Gael spokesman on justice, said the Dublin/Monaghan bombings were on the same scale as Omagh and yet there had been no memorial. Would the Government consider a memorial or plaque to commemorate this tragic event?

The Minister said the Government would give consideration to any matter which might give comfort to the families of the victims. Regarding other bombings and atrocities, the difficulty was that the Government had to have certain terms of reference.

Answering questions about the nine people murdered by the IRA, known as the "disappeared", the Minister said despite extensive searching over 49 days no other remains had been located. The searches were suspended but discussions were ongoing between the gardai and the Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains regarding the availability of any further information. He said he believed the original information had been given in good faith.

Answering a question by Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) the Minister said any information brought to their attention would be acted upon.

Mr Austin Currie (FG, Dublin West) said there were at least five others who had disappeared whose murders had not been claimed by the IRA. He asked if pressure would be kept on the IRA.