Families need ‘answers, closure and justice’ 50 years on from the Dublin-Monaghan bombings
The scene of devastation on Talbot Street shortly after three car bombs were detonated in May 1974
Tánaiste Micheál Martin lays a wreath on Talbot Street to mark the 49th anniversary of the bombings last year. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA
Families are still waiting for “answers, closure and justice” almost 50 years since the bombings in Dublin and Monaghan.
To mark the 50th anniversary next month, Cormac Moore, Dublin City Council Historian in Residence for South Central area, will take to Rathmines Library to reflect on the worst day for fatalities throughout the Troubles.
On May 17, 1974, three bombs exploded in Dublin and a fourth in Monaghan, killing 33 people and injuring 300 others.
“I’ll be talking about the victims and the lives they had, and their families who were impacted,” Mr Moore told the Irish Independent.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin lays a wreath on Talbot Street to mark the 49th anniversary of the bombings last year. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA
“The victims still don’t have answers, they’ve to live with the legacy of that awful day 50 years ago.
“They want to know who was responsible and they’ve the right to know that. There should be a lot more justification and accountability so people can get closure.
“What happened that day will never be forgotten by the families, and they’ll never be able to get over it, but they need some closure and some justice, they’re entitled to it.
“There were three bombs in Dublin, all around the same time, no warning bombs. It was in the evening time, the worst time it could happen, people were leaving work.
“It was the single biggest day of fatalities throughout the troubles. Around 7pm, another bomb went off in Monaghan. Nobody has been prosecuted. We still don’t have answers for this crime.
“With the British Government Act coming into operation on May 1, we won’t be able to get answers on that side of the border unless that act is repealed.”
Mr Moore said there was more fear than anger in the public following the event.
Historian Cormac Moore will host an event in Rathmines Library on May 15
“There was a lady who was almost ready to give birth to a baby girl. There were 34 victims, some people say 33,” he added.
“Surprisingly, there wasn’t that much anger. A lot of anger was directed towards the IRA. The Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave and the opposition leader Jack Lynch, they said that there was blood on everyone’s hands.
“A lot of the people blamed the IRA for bringing the Troubles to the 26 counties. There was a lot more anger after Bloody Sunday in 1972.
“There was a lot of fear at the time that the Troubles were coming to the South and there was fear a lot more of this would happen. There was never anything on the scale of this,” he added.
Dublin-Monaghan Bombings - 50 Years On, will take place in Rathmines Library on Wednesday, May 15 at 6.30pm. Places are limited with seats available on a first come, first served basis.
