Here in Co. Tipperary today, we again remember the two victims of the Dublin bombings; both murdered in the city, 51 years ago this very day, 17th May 1974.
In Dublin city car bombs were detonated without warning during rush hour, resulting in the murder of Miss Breda Turner, Thurles, Co. Tipperary aged 21 years and Mrs Maureen Shields, aged 46 years, originally from the village of Hollyford, west Co. Tipperary.
Mrs Shields, married with one son and two daughters, was murdered in the Talbot Street explosion, while Miss Turner, who was then engaged to be married on the following Easter, was murdered in the Parnell Street explosion.
It is at this time also that we remember Mr George Bradshaw, aged 30 years, a bus conductor from Fethard, Co. Tipperary, who was a victim of the Dublin bombing of December 1st 1972, at Sackville Place, in the city.
Statement by the Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan on the 51st Anniversary of Dublin and Monaghan Bombings.
“Today marks the 51st anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, a devastating series of coordinated explosions in Dublin city centre and in Monaghan town.
Today, we remember all those that tragically lost their lives and we remember the survivors of the bombings. We think of their families and friends whose loved ones were injured or killed, and who have carried unbearable loss and traumatic memories for over five decades.
The Government will not forget our duty to the victims and survivors, and we will persevere in our efforts to seek out the truth behind the tragic events of 17 May 1974 and, hopefully, secure some measure of comfort for those effected by these callous attacks.
We have worked consistently to implement the all-party motions which call on the British Government to allow access to all relevant documents relating to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings and I specifically raised this issue with the British Government at the recent meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference at Hillsborough Castle.
The investigation into the bombings remains an open case in this jurisdiction. Any new evidence that comes to light will be fully investigated by An Garda Síochána.
The Government is committed to working with victims’ groups and our Northern Ireland and British counterparts to develop fit-for-purpose mechanisms to meet the needs and expectations of all those impacted by those dark days, including the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. We will play our full part in legacy processes including addressing the legacy of the conflict in this jurisdiction.”
Former Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman, Baroness Nuala O’Loan (Member of House of Lords
of the United Kingdom), previously found that Special Branch officers gave the killers immunity,
thus ensuring that the murderers were never brought to justice.
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