Policing bodies on both sides of the Border have been accused of dragging their heels and failing to co-operate on an investigation into the Dublin-Monaghan bombings.
Kevin Winters, a solicitor representing families bereaved by the 1974 atrocity, says An Garda Síochána and the Office of the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland (PONI) are “passing the parcel” over the former’s “failure to provide” intelligence files on the bombings to the ombudsman’s investigation.
The Belfast-based solicitor, of KRW Law, described as “highly unsatisfactory” that families “do not have the comfort” of all files on the bombings being provided to the ombudsman.
PONI is in the final stages of a thematic inquiry, known as Operation Newham, into alleged collusion between the so-called Glennane Gang and British security forces in the mid-1970s. Included in this are the May 1974 bombings in Dublin and Monaghan which killed 33 people – the highest death toll in a single day during the Troubles.
No one was ever arrested or convicted for the twin attacks, although the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) claimed sole responsibility in 1993. There have long been allegations of collusion between British security forces and the UVF in the bombings.
Garda investigations into the bombings, closed within months, were heavily criticised. Since 1997, families have been seeking the full release by the Garda of all its investigation files.
In 2017, the Public Prosecution Service in Northern Ireland issued requests, known as international letters of request, to the Chief State Solicitor’s Office in Dublin seeking all Garda files on the bombing.
“Eight years on and we still have next to nothing provided to Operation Newham by the gardaí,” said Mr Winters.
In November, the High Court in Dublin granted leave for a judicial review brought by Paddy Askin, a son of Monaghan bomb victim Patrick Askin, against the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice for their alleged failure to fully co-operate with Operation Newham.
Mr Askin alleged the Irish authorities failed to provide Garda files to the investigation.
In response, however, the Garda said PONI failed to provide specific information as to which files it wanted.
On January 27th, in a letter to PONI, Mr Winters asked the ombudsman to “comment on the assertions of An Garda Síochána”.
He concluded: “Given the urgency of the matter currently before the High Court in Dublin we would welcome a response within seven days of receipt of this correspondence”.
There has been no response, Mr Winters said. He said the continuing failure by Irish authorities to provide all relevant intelligence on the bombings is a breach of the families’ rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Garda said in a statement the bombings remain an open investigation and “it would not be appropriate to comment on specific details”.
It said the Garda has been assisting the NI police ombudsman. “An Garda Síochána remains committed to investigate acts of terrorism and always takes the concerns of all victims seriously, ensuring all victims are treated with dignity and respect.
PONI said it was clear about the information sought from the Garda. It said the Garda has provided some material, but not “sensitive information” included in the request.
“We have previously responded to correspondence from An Garda Síochána in which they sought clarification about the information requested, explaining that we cannot be more specific than we have been.” It said.
It also said it would reply to Mr Winters “in due course”.
Margaret Urwin, co-ordinator of Justice for the Forgotten, described the stance of the Garda as “really shocking”.
“The Government here is very big when it comes to talking about cases like Pat Finucane [criminal defence solicitor murdered in 1989 by loyalist paramilitaries in his north Belfast home] and others where they have no part, but when it comes to cases where there are questions about the authorities here they won’t co-operate.
“They say they will fully co-operate with the Omagh inquiry. Well, seeing as we’re eight years on and still no co-operation, I doubt it very much.”
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