Time to remove obstacles to Dublin-Monaghan probe - Smith

Cavan-Monaghan TD Brendan Smith has again called on the British Government to remove all obstacles to a “full and proper” investigations into the bombings and the murder of innocent people in Monaghan and Dublin in May 1974.
The Fianna Fáil spokesperson on foreign affairs said that he has consistently raised with the North’s Secretary of State, Theresa Villiers the need to respond positively to the unanimous call of Dáil Éireann “for British co-operation in a full and a proper investigation of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings”.
“Motions were unanimously passed in Dáil Éireann in 2008 and 2011 calling for such co-operation. I have repeatedly called on the British Government to give access to an eminent legal person to all papers and files relating to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings of May 17, 1974, which resulted in the deaths of 33 innocent people,” said the Cavanman.
“Every obstacle must be removed by the British Government to ensure full and proper investigations are undertaken in respect of these bombings and the perpetrators of such crimes need to be brought to justice.
“The least the victims and the families of all these atrocities deserve is the truth about who carried out these murderous deeds 42 years ago”, he said.
Deputy Smith told The Anglo-Celt that he had recently tabled further parliamentary questions in Dáil Éireann on the issue, regarding the need for the Government to constantly pursue with the Secretary State for Northern Ireland and with the British Foreign Secretary the obligationson the British Government to respond to the Dáil Motions and initiate “the necessary co-operation to have full investigations undertaken”.

Disappointment with British
In response to his parliamentary question on the matter Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Deputy Charles Flanagan said that dealing with the conflict in the North has “been a major priority”.
“I have raised this issue with the British Government on a number of occasions, including most recently on January 14 with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The Taoiseach has also raised this issue with Prime Minister Cameron emphasising the Government’s continued support for the Dáil motions.
“I am disappointed to report that despite our urging, the British Government is still considering how to respond to the Dáil motions,” added the minister.
“However, I have received assurances from Secretary of State Villiers that the issue remains under consideration by the British Government. I have made clear to the Secretary of State that there is a pressing need to provide answers to the families of the victims and underlined the fact that this will remain firmly on the political agenda of the Irish Government given that there is an all-party agreement as set out in the Dáil motions of 2008 and 2011,” he said.