Kenny says he will seek files on 1974 bombings

TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny has confirmed he will raise the question of the release of British files on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings with British prime minister David Cameron today.

Relatives of the victims yesterday marked the 37th anniversary of the bombings, in which 33 people died, with a wreath-laying ceremony. A number later attended a Sinn Féin private members’ debate in the Dáil, backed by all parties, calling for the British government to release its files on the 1974 bombings, three years after a similar motion was unanimously agreed.

During the debate, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said the vast majority of people welcomed the royal visit. He condemned the “thugs throwing rocks, bottles and missiles at members of the gardaí”.

He regretted the threat posed by a “small number of individuals” with no respect for the “democratic will of the Irish people required that a major security operation be mounted”.

Opening the debate, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) insisted the release of files on the bombings “should be a priority item in any meeting on Irish-British relations between the Taoiseach and the British prime minister until it is complied with. He criticised the scheduling of Queen Elizabeth’s visit on the anniversary of the bombings as showing “gross insensitivity”.

Earlier during Leaders’ Questions, Mr Kenny told the Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin leaders that when he met Mr Cameron in Downing Street recently, he raised the issue of the publication of files. He had indicated he “would raise the issue on every occasion I got an appropriate opportunity”. “I will speak to him tomorrow and will raise the matter,” he said of his meeting today in Dublin with the British premier. “I do not have control over it, but I will raise it.”

During Leaders’ Questions, when Gerry Adams asked Mr Kenny if he would establish an independent international truth commission, Mr Kenny said “I will not commit myself here to having a series of public inquiries” but he would “reflect” on Mr Adams’s pledge to come forward if there was such a process.

Micheál Martin called on the Taoiseach to give a commitment “resolutely to seek publication of these files”.

Mr Adams said the files “were withheld from Judge Barron’s inquiries into the Dublin-Monaghan bombings” and other bombing attacks.

The Taoiseach said “there are many files and many aspects to files, issues and atrocities about which we do not have the full facts. These relate to trials regarding over 3,000 people who lost their lives. “As the deputy is well aware, many pieces of information relevant to some of these will never be produced.”

Mr Adams suggested “rather than us just playing politics with this issue”, the two governments should invite a “reputable international body to come in to establish an independent international truth commission”.

The Sinn Féin leader said “genuine national reconciliation and closure for victims and the type of healing process we require, and which all victims and survivors deserve, demands that everyone – I do this on my own behalf – pledges himself or herself to come forward to such a process, to encourage such a process and to encourage others to be part of such a process.”

Mr Kenny commended Mr Adams that, “as president of his party”, he was “prepared to come forward with information about republican atrocities, which is a good start. I will reflect on what he has said here.”