Britain & Ireland ‘done nothing’ to help the families
THE families of the victims killed in the Dublin and Monaghan bombs have accused the British and Irish governments of forgetting about those who died.
Alice O’brien lost her sister Anna, her brother-in-law John and the couple’s two young children in the bomb on Parnell Street.
She said: “We’ve been forgotten for 50 years, so hopefully now we might get the files (on the case) off the British government.”
PROBE
Ms O’brien claimed both states wound down the probe as they were trying to save the troubled Sunningdale agreement.
She said she hopes the Denton report in 2025 will finally deliver “truth”.
Anna’s other sister, Cathy Ellis said: “We’ve been asking for the truth for years but are not being heard.
“My kids are all grown up and I didn’t ever like them coming into town. I Was always afraid. I was waiting for something to happen.”
Michelle O’brien, whose mother Anne Byrne died, said the families had been treated disgracefully by the state since 1974. She added: “Not a day that goes by that we don’t think about her. It’s the people in power that have forgotten about the fact these people were murdered in cold blood.”
Michelle voiced anger at the suggestion closed files on the bombings will not be released for 50 years. She said: “Now I won’t be around in 50 years’ time, neither will my dad, my dad’s 88 this year. He was 37 when he lost his wife and was left to raise two kids.”
On the State’s response to the bombings and the subsequent campaign for justice, Michelle said: “It’s just a disgrace.
“It’s a disgrace. I can’t believe we have been left for so long asking the same questions.
“And no matter what politician you meet, they’d promise you the sun, moon and stars. They give you nothing, nothing.”
MOTHER
Aidan Shields, whose mother Maureen was killed, said: “On the day of the bombs, my mother was working in Fairview and my father worked in Guineys.
“Mammy came in to surprise him and she parked the car around the corner on Gardiner Street.
“Dad pulled the shutters down on the shop a few minutes before 5.30pm, and that might have saved the lives of staff and customers.
“But he didn’t know that his wife was outside the shop to collect him, and then he wouldn’t recognise her when he walked out of the shop either (after the blast).
“Later that night, I went to the city morgue and I had to identify her and that was an experience that no-one should have to live through.”