The British Government's response to requests for information about the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974 has been so inadequate that suspicions have been aroused that something is being hidden. In spite of repeated requests from Mr Justice Henry Barron, the head of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the bombings, ten months have passed and not a single document has been produced by the British authorities.
This foot-dragging has occurred amidst a clamour of allegations by representatives of the affected families and in spite of repeated political representations by the Taoiseach to the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, and to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr John Reid. In Dublin last week Dr Reid was questioned on these matters. He undertook to meet "soon" with Mr Justice Barron. He explained that delays had been caused by the huge amount of work involved in checking 68,000 official files.
Three weeks ago the Taoiseach told the Dβil of "unacceptable delays" in providing official files on the bombings. He said the Government had been assured by Dr Reid eight months earlier that requests for information would be treated sympathetically; that the search of records was nearing completion and that Dr Reid hoped to meet Mr Justice Barron. That had not happened. Mr Ahern went on to express a doubt that the delays had been caused by the need to inspect official files.
The Justice for the Forgotten Group, representing the families of victims, has alleged British collusion in the bombings that killed 33 people and injured more than 240 in Dublin and Monaghan in 1974. It has suggested the explosives used in those car bombs were supplied by a British Army officer to a loyalist group known as the Protestant Action Force and is understood to have provided fresh information on the matter to the Barron Inquiry.
The inquiry has been asked by the Government to investigate all aspects of the bombings. It has been a complex and time-consuming task, made all the more arduous by the passage of time. It is now being pursued, with considerable energy, by Mr Justice Barron. If murky and unacceptable events took place 27 years ago, they should be ventilated and confronted by the authorities.