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President Higgins speaking in Monaghan PA

'They deserve the truth': President Higgins lays wreath at Monaghan bombing memorial

Higgins said it is a “matter of profound regret” and “unacceptable” that no-one had been held accountable for the atrocities.

PRESIDENT MICHAEL D Higgins has laid a wreath in Monaghan at the location where a bomb devastated the town centre 50 years ago.

A ceremony marked the anniversary of deadly attacks on 17 May, 1974 when three no-warning bombs went off across Dublin city centre and one in Monaghan town.

The names of the victims were read out and the bells of St Patrick’s Church tolled at 6.58pm, the exact time the Monaghan bomb exploded, before Higgins laid the wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland.

Local TD and Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys laid a wreath on behalf of the Irish Government before prayers were said and a tree planted.

No-one has ever been convicted over the bombings, but the loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) admitted responsibility in 1993.

A commemorative event also took place in Talbot Street in Dublin earlier today, where an official memorial honours the 35 people killed in the bombings, including two unborn babies.

It was the biggest loss of life on any single day of the Troubles.

Another 300 people are estimated to have been injured in the blasts.

Speaking at the event in Dublin, Higgins said there was a “manifest failure” of the UK and Irish governments to adequately respond to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.

He said: “Even in the context of the many atrocities committed at that time, the Dublin and Monaghan car bombings of 1974 were crimes of a particular level of savagery, executed consciously upon workers and civilians with total disregard for human life and suffering.

“Like the families of so many other victims and survivors of the Northern Ireland conflict, so many of you here today have been trying to find answers about what happened.”

Higgins said it is a “matter of profound regret” and “unacceptable” that no-one had been held accountable for the atrocities.

The president said systemic failures at state level include possible collusion between security forces and loyalist paramilitaries, the disappearance of important forensic evidence and a refusal to supply information.

He said: “The manifest failure of both the British and Irish governments to initiate suitable responses in the aftermath of the attacks has left a legacy that cannot be left unaddressed.

“I share with the relatives gathered or represented here their feeling of being abandoned and failed by the system, of their being denied justice for the loss of loved ones.”

Higgins said the relatives need more than an empathetic ear, adding: “Justice demands that they deserve the truth – no more, no less.”

The president also criticised the current British Government’s Legacy Act, saying: “The enactment of that unilaterally sourced legislation has resulted in families who have spent decades fighting for an effective investigation into their cases of not only facing further uncertainty and delays but of the deprivation of legal rights.”

Higgins said there was a collective responsibility to deal with legacy issues in an ethical manner, adding: “A strategy of feigned amnesia, or hoping time will deliver one, is simply not an option, nor is any strategy of continuing the protection of previous evasions or failures to act.

“It is not morally acceptable, nor is it politically feasible, to request that those affected by such tragedy should forget about the past, draw a line or move on in the name of any naive desire for a supposed closure that may never be attainable.”

He said the families’ call for the full truth to emerge should be supported, “however embarrassing or painful it may be”.

Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin also attended the event organised by the Justice for the Forgotten group which represents bereaved families and survivors, as were former taoisigh Leo Varadkar and Bertie Ahern. 

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and Iain Livingstone, who leads the Operation Denton operation, were among other attendees.

Before the Dublin ceremony, Martin and Boutcher attended a memorial Mass at nearby St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral.

Leading the service, Archbishop Dermot Farrell read out the names of those killed in the bombings.

Calling for reconciliation, he added: “Pray that those with the power to be able to deliver that justice, which will ultimately bring peace, will come quickly so that all may be fully healed of that awful atrocity and tragedy.”

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    Mute Eddienowy Byrne
    Favourite Eddienowy Byrne
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    May 17th 2024, 8:28 PM

    Michael Martin saying that any papers and information should be given to the relatives should be released. How long has he been in Government and now he wants something done. Must be an election coming up.

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    Mute Mick McGuinness
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    May 18th 2024, 6:11 AM

    @Eddienowy Byrne: there must be elections coming up.

    27
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    Mute Gwantipp
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    May 17th 2024, 9:32 PM

    The bombings were directed by British military intelligence and the special branch of the RUC using the psychopaths of the UVF ( the Glennane Gang in particular) and members of the UDR.
    The UVF had never before or since carried out a successful bombing campaign because they lacked the requisite skills to do so . But the British security forces did have bomb making expertise and so made the bombs and the UVF planted them.
    The purpose of the attack by the British security forces was to terrorise the south and force a crackdown on the IRA.
    It worked extremely well on both counts .
    The special branch of the Gardai colluded in the cover up and deliberately sobataged the investigation to protect Gardai who were working for British intelligence

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    Mute Eamon
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    May 17th 2024, 10:39 PM

    @Gwantipp: Evidence for your paranoid ramblings please.

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    Mute Paula O Brien
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    May 18th 2024, 1:40 AM

    @Eamon: prove him wrong if you can

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    Mute ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
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    May 18th 2024, 7:46 AM

    @Eamon: There is a great deal of circumstantial evidence to that effect.

    As is the Irish state’s refusal to properly investigate this.

    28
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    Mute Orchard Groovey
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    May 17th 2024, 8:57 PM

    You didn’t think of collusion.
    You didn’t suspect collusion.
    You knew.

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    Mute John Kenny
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    May 17th 2024, 9:20 PM

    The people of clonmel need the truth

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    Mute Eamon
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    May 17th 2024, 8:16 PM

    So many atrocities perpetrated by both sides in that nefarious war. No heroes, only victims.

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    Mute Darth O'Leary
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    May 18th 2024, 12:09 AM

    British security services colluded with the UVF and used that organisation to perpetuate many sickening atrocities. These same agencies operate unhindered in this so called republic to this day. It beggars belief that these agencies have a license to commit the most serious crimes imaginable in the name of “security”

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    Mute rory Mcgovern
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    May 18th 2024, 9:04 AM

    Our president talking about an Irish situation. Recently what a NOVELTY.

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    Mute Padraig O'Brien
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    May 18th 2024, 11:40 AM

    As I said before we all know what happened. The question is why the Gardai frustrated a proper investigation and/or prosecution and why the Irish government allowed this?
    It continues to this day with Micheal Martin saying that all files that have are available to all while knowing that most have been destroyed!

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    Mute Vincent Alexander
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    May 17th 2024, 11:23 PM

    For the information of Paul Red et alia , there was a city bus strike on when the bombings took place. Provincial buses were still running. Provincial buses operated from Store Street.

    11
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