The 'Justice for the Forgotten' campaign group has indicated "deep concern" over what it describes as the failure of An Garda Síochána to provide certain information and material to the Police Ombudsman, which is investigating the Dublin/Monaghan bombings.
The group claims that while An Garda Síochána has supplied information - but not intelligence information - on other attacks, not a scintilla of information has been provided in respect of the Dublin/Monaghan bombings - an attack which saw the greatest loss of life in a single day of the Northern Ireland Troubles.
Speaking to Northern Sound, the Organisation's co-ordinator Margaret Urwin, said the lack of co-operation by the Gardaí was leading to heart break for the families who once again felt let down. She said that for years, the British Government refused to respond to unanimous Dáil motions and now, when they have a chance of getting some answers, the Gardaí were failing the families.
Ms Urwin warned that the matter could lead to a situation where the Police Ombudsman becomes unable to complete her report into the Dublin/Monaghan bombings before the Legacy Bill is legislated for in May 2024. "It is heart-breaking to see the families being let down once again," she continued. "For years the British Government was refusing to respond to unanimous Dáil motions and now, when they have a chance of getting some answers, the Gardaí are failing the families."
Aidan Shields, whose mother, Maureen, was killed in the Talbot Street explosion added: "I am so disappointed with Commissioner Drew Harris and the Gardaí that after 50 years they still cannot co-operate with the the Police Ombudsman's investigation into the Glenanne Gang and their involvement in the Dublin/Monaghan bombings. Have we not suffered long enough without answers?"
