Atrocity of Dublin-Monaghan bombings 'will always be remembered' - Harris

The Minister for Justice is remembering "the ordinary people going about their daily lives" on the 49th anniversary of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. 

Today (May 17) marks forty nine years since three bombs exploded in Dublin City Centre and a fourth in Monaghan Town, causing the deaths of 33 civilians and an unborn child. 

The bombings have become known as the cause of the greatest loss of life on a single day during the Troubles, with hundreds more injured on the day. 

Speaking today, Minister Simon Harris said, "It is hard to believe that on a day such as this all those years ago, ordinary people going about their daily lives had those lives so callously and brutally attacked. But, like so many other incidents of violence on this island during the Troubles, that was the tragic reality for those caught up in the bombings on that day. 
 
"The scale of this atrocity will always be remembered. It was the greatest loss of life on a single day of the Troubles and it continues to affect countless families. The Government is fully committed to seeking out the truth behind those events and, hopefully, to secure some measure of comfort for the victims’ families and the survivors." 

Minister Harris continued, stating it is important to remember the achievements made since the Good Friday Agreement was signed 25 years ago. 

He said, "Last week I met with the families of another group of victims of the Troubles, the Disappeared, victims of paramilitary violence who were murdered and secretly buried during the Troubles.

"So many on this island have been affected by the multitude of horrific acts that were carried out during the Troubles and the Irish Government will not forget our duty to victims and survivors." 

The anniversary comes as the British government grapples with critics of a proposed legacy Bill, which - if enacted - would provide immunity for people accused of crimes during the Troubles if they co-operate with a new truth recovery body. 

Among the Bill's challengers is Baroness Nuala O’Loan, who recently said, "I think the Government are going to try and force this through, I think it’s completely the wrong thing to do.

"It’s been condemned internationally and nationally, has breached our international legal obligations, has been condemned because it’s not victims-focused.

"Because it’s not going to deliver reconciliation, because it introduces provisions whereby people who have been involved in the conflict can seek immunity for their crimes by telling something – but those provisions will not work in the interests of victims."