merrion street

Today we remember the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.

Forty six years ago today three bombs exploded around Dublin in the busy evening rush hour and then, about 90 minutes later, another bomb exploded outside Greacen’s Pub in Monaghan Town. These savage bombings claimed the greatest loss of life in a single day of the troubles.

Unfortunately in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is not possible to hold a remembrance ceremony this year. While this means that  I cannot stand in solidarity with the friends and family of the victims as I have in previous years, we nonetheless take this day to remember all those affected by the bombs, including the tragic loss of innocent life as well as the countless families impacted by those callous acts of brutality.

The Government is strongly committed to developing and establishing effective ways to address the legacy of the troubles, including implementation of those measures agreed in the Stormont House Agreement.  I earnestly hope that these measures may provide opportunities for the families of victims to access further information. The Government will continue to pursue all possible avenues to uncover the truth of what happened on this day in 1974.

Dealing effectively with the legacy of the past will be one way to honour the memory of all those killed and injured in the dark days of the troubles, including those victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings who are foremost in our thoughts today.