Birmingham pub bombings families ask Dublin to back a public inquiry

FAMILIES of the people killed in the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings are asking the Irish Government to back a public inquiry into the incident.

The Justice For the 21 group began a three-day visit to Ireland on Tuesday — meeting with other people who lost loved ones during the Troubles — at the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation.

Yesterday they met the Lord Mayor of Dublin Paul McAuliffe at the Mansion House, who said he would back their calls for a public inquiry.

Julie Hambleton, sister of one of the victims, 18-year-old Maxine Hambleton, said she hoped their visit to Ireland would “make a mark”.

Ms Hambleton said successive British Governments had done nothing to help victims of terrorism and they were “humbled” by the support they had received so far from the Irish Government.

“People are so kind and spiritthan Family members of victims of the Birmingham pub bombings with Margaret Hambleton (centre), who lost her daughter Maxine, at a meeting with Justice for the 21 group and Michael D Higgins (left) in Dublin

ually generous. It shames our own British authorities because they treat us with nothing but contempt,” she said.

“With this visit to Ireland we will have seen more dignitaries

in our own country that want to speak to us, meet us and listen to us.”

Last night the group met Irish President Michael D Higgins and Tanaiste Simon Coveney to dis

cuss their concerns and ask them to back the inquiry.

“We are asking the President, the Taoiseach and Tanaiste if they will endorse our continued fight for justice so we can have a public inquiry,” she said.

In April 2019 an inquest jury found a botched IRA warning call led to the deaths of 21 people unlawfully killed in the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings.

Two massive detonations ripped apart the packed Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town pubs on the night of November 21, killing 21 and injuring 220 more.

Ms Hambleton said the inquest that took place earlier this year “left more questions than answers”.

“If we can get a public inquiry then the information that has been locked away can be brought to the fore and be put to and in front of a public inquiry,” she said.

Ms Hambleton said she would continue to fight for justice to honour the memory of those who were killed.

“We have experienced the worst of humanity but in our latter years we have experienced the best of the Irish community — there are far more good people in the world than bad.”