Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 May 2026
70. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the British Government's response to the State's ongoing request for full disclosure and access to all relevant documents concerning the Dublin-Monaghan bombings of 17 May 1974; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37158/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast Sunday marked the 52nd anniversary of the Dublin Monaghan bombings. In those intervening 52 years, families have sought the truth of what happened to their loved ones on that day.
The Government has long-standing requests in place to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents held by the British Government relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. These requests arise from successive all-party motions adopted by this House.
I raised the Dublin Monaghan bombings with the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, at the BIIGC on 30 April. The delay in the publication of the full report of Operation Denton, a review of the Glenanne gang cases, including the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, which was expected last year, is disappointing. The delay in publication is due to legal proceedings currently under way in Northern Ireland.
Officials from my Department remain in regular contact with the head of Operation Denton, Sir Iain Livingstone. They will continue to follow up on the publication of the full report. We hope the report can be published within a reasonable timeframe and that its findings may shed light on what happened on that awful day.
The publication of the final report of Operation Denton would also help to maintain momentum on our broader work on legacy, particularly in the context of the implementation of the Joint Framework agreed last year by the two Governments.
Reciprocal co-operation is at the heart of the Joint Framework, which commits the British Government to provide "cooperation to Ireland for investigations, inquiries and inquests" in this jurisdiction. It is my hope that these measures, once implemented, could further help to shed light on the events of 17 May 1974 and provide information to families.
