Irish deputy premier ‘committed' to securing answers on Dublin-Monaghan bombings
No-one has ever been convicted over the bombings but the loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) admitted responsibility in 1993.
It remains the biggest loss of life on any single day of the Troubles.
Mr Harris described a 'most horrific act of violence that shocked our country to its core'.
He said he hopes the publication of the Operation Denton report, expected in the coming months, 'will shed new light on the terrible events of May 17 1974'.
In a statement on Saturday, the Tanaiste said: 'Five decades on, I am conscious that time can never truly erase the pain of their absence. My thoughts are with their families on this difficult day.
'We remember also the hundreds injured in the brutal attacks and all those who were left behind to face the significant challenges of lives forever changed.'
Mr Harris said the day is an opportunity to remind ourselves of the questions that remain unanswered.
A single red rose is placed on the memorial on Talbot Street in Dublin to the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in 1974 (Julien Behal/PA)
'It remains deeply regrettable that no person has been held responsible for the attacks to date,' he said.
'The publication of the Operation Denton report is expected in the coming months. It is my sincere hope that these findings will shed new light on the terrible events of May 17 1974.
'This Government remains committed to finding truth and justice. I have raised the case of the Dublin Monaghan bombings with the British Government – highlighting the successive motions passed in the Dail with the unanimous support of all political parties.
'I am committed to taking this forward in a bid to get long-awaited answers.'
A service is set to take place at the memorial on Talbot Street in Dublin later.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
16 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
‘The pre-eminent public servant of his time and of his generation': Tributes paid after death of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield
Sir Kenneth died at the age of 94 on Saturday. He has been hailed by well-wishers as a renowned humanitarian who had 'empathy with the families of the Disappeared.' Sir Kenneth joined the civil service in 1952 and would rise through the ranks to head the organisation in 1984. After standing down in 1991,he would later become the BBC's National Governor for Northern Ireland. In 1997, he would be tasked by the then Secretary of State, Mo Mowlam, to take on the role of NI Victims Commissioner. While at their home in Crawfordsburn in 1988, while he was still the head of the Civil Service, he and his wife would become targets of an IRA bomb attack outside their home. Neither of them were injured in the Co Down blast. 'I was sorry to learn of the passing of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. He gave many years of service to Northern Ireland and did so with thoughtfulness and dedication,' said the DUP leader, Gavin Robinson. 'His calm approach, even when targeted by the IRA, earned respect across the board, and his contribution to public life will not be forgotten. 'My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all who knew him at this sad time.' Also sharing her condolences was the Alliance Party leader, Naomi Long. 'Sir Kenneth had a distinguished career in public service over many years and in many roles,' said the Justice Minister. 'He and his wife were personally targeted in the Troubles, when their home was attacked by an IRA bomb, but he did not allow it to deter him from his enduring commitment to public service. 'In the decades since his formal retirement, he continued that commitment, offering his skills and experience in the service of the community, most particularly in his work as Victims' Commissioner in the early days of the Assembly, a role which he notably described as being a 'painful privilege'. 'I know that he kept in touch with political developments and was especially supportive of efforts to ensure the devolved administration was put on a firm and stable footing. 'On behalf of myself and Alliance, I would wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Lady Elizabeth and the family circle on their very personal loss." A spokesperson from the WAVE Trauma Centre said they were saddened at the news of his missing, but 'none more so than the families of the Disappeared'. "As the first Victims Commissioner and UK Commissioner on the ICLVR), Sir Ken was a warm and thoughtful support for the families who have suffered so much. Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains ( "On his first day as Victims Commissioner, Sir Ken shared a BBC studio with Margaret McKinney, mother of Brian who had disappeared along with John McClory in 1978. "His resolve to help the families of the Disappeared was anchored in that early meeting in November 1997. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Lady Elizabeth, who was always by his side at the annual Palm Sunday mass and with his children and the family circle. "May Sir Ken rest in eternal peace.' Speaking to BBC NI, another former head of the Civil Service Sir Nigel Hamilton also expressed his well-wishes. "I will remember him as the most important, and the pre-eminent public servant of his time and of his generation. "From the 1960s up to 1991, he was a leader, he was the public servant extraordinaire." The joint UK and Irish Commissioners, Rosalie Flanagan and Tim Dalton, of the ICLVR, said they were 'deeply saddened' to hear of the former Civil Service head's passing. 'He brought to the ICLVR not only his vast experience as a highly distinguished public servant but crucially an innate humanitarian instinct and empathy with the families of the Disappeared,' they said. 'The work of the ICLVR in seeing the recovery of 13 of the 17 Disappeared is one of the success stories of the peace process and Sir Ken's contribution to that as a founding Commissioner was huge. 'We extend our condolences to Lady Bloomfield and the Bloomfield family.' The Lord Lieutenant of Belfast, Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle, added: "HM Lord Lieutenant of has learnt with sadness of the death of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, distinguished public servant and former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. "Ken brought dignity, gravitas and humility to public life.'
ITV News
a day ago
- ITV News
Tributes paid after death of former NI Civil Service chief Kenneth Bloomfield
Tributes have been paid to the former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, who has died at the age of 94. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt described Sir Kenneth as a 'great intellect' and 'one of our finest'. His career in public service began in the 1950s and he was cabinet secretary to the 1974 Stormont powersharing executive, and head of the NI Civil Service from 1984 to 1991. During this time the IRA tried to kill Sir Kenneth at his home in Co Down in 1988 but his family survived the bomb attack. Later, he took on a number of other roles including victims' commissioner and co-commissioner of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains. He was knighted in 1987. DUP leader Gavin Robinson said he was sorry to learn of the death. He added: 'He gave many years of service to Northern Ireland and did so with thoughtfulness and dedication. 'His calm approach, even when targeted by the IRA, earned respect across the board, and his contribution to public life will not be forgotten. 'My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all who knew him at this sad time.' Alliance Party leader and Justice Minister Naomi Long said: 'Sir Kenneth had a distinguished career in public service over many years and in many roles. 'He and his wife were personally targeted in the Troubles, when their home was attacked by an IRA bomb, but he did not allow it to deter him from his enduring commitment to public service. 'In the decades since his formal retirement, he continued that commitment, offering his skills and experience in the service of the community, most particularly in his work as victims'commissioner in the early days of the Assembly, a role which he notably described as being a 'painful privilege'.' Ms Long added: 'I know that he kept in touch with political developments and was especially supportive of efforts to ensure the devolved administration was put on a firm and stable footing. 'On behalf of myself and Alliance, I would wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Lady Elizabeth and the family circle on their very personal loss.' In a statement on X, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said: 'Sorry to hear of the passing of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. 'A great intellect, public servant and one of our finest. 'Among many other things he paved the way for the setting up of the Commission for Victims and Survivors where I served before politics.' Belfast Lord Lieutenant Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle wrote: 'HM Lord Lieutenant has learnt with sadness of the death of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, distinguished public servant and former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. 'Ken brought dignity, gravitas and humanity to public life. 'To his wife Elizabeth, daughter and son, my sincere condolences. FJOB.' A post from the Belfast office of the US consulate said: 'We offer our condolences to the family of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, a distinguished public servant who dedicated his life to others, including those injured and bereaved during NI's troubled past.' Sir Nigel Hamilton, another former head of the NI Civil Service told the BBC he would remember Sir Kenneth as the 'most important, the pre-eminent public servant of his time and of his generation'. He added: 'From the 1960s right up to 1991 he was the leader, he was the public servant extraordinaire.'
Powys County Times
a day ago
- Powys County Times
Tributes paid after death of former NI Civil Service chief Kenneth Bloomfield
Tributes have been paid to the former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, who has died at the age of 94. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt described Sir Kenneth as a 'great intellect' and 'one of our finest'. His career in public service began in the 1950s and he was cabinet secretary to the 1974 Stormont powersharing executive, and head of the NI Civil Service from 1984 to 1991. During this time the IRA tried to kill Sir Kenneth at his home in Co Down in 1988 but his family survived the bomb attack. Later, he took on a number of other roles including victims' commissioner and co-commissioner of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains. He was knighted in 1987. Alliance Party leader and Justice Minister Naomi Long said: 'Sir Kenneth had a distinguished career in public service over many years and in many roles. 'He and his wife were personally targeted in the Troubles, when their home was attacked by an IRA bomb, but he did not allow it to deter him from his enduring commitment to public service. 'In the decades since his formal retirement, he continued that commitment, offering his skills and experience in the service of the community, most particularly in his work as victims'commissioner in the early days of the Assembly, a role which he notably described as being a 'painful privilege'.' Ms Long added: 'I know that he kept in touch with political developments and was especially supportive of efforts to ensure the devolved administration was put on a firm and stable footing. 'On behalf of myself and Alliance, I would wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Lady Elizabeth and the family circle on their very personal loss.' Sorry to hear of the passing of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. A great intellect, public servant and one of our finest. Among many others things he paved the way for the setting up of the Commission for Victims & Survivors where I served before politics. internal-gallery:%7C19 — Mike Nesbitt (@mikenesbittni) May 31, 2025 In a statement on X, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said: 'Sorry to hear of the passing of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. 'A great intellect, public servant and one of our finest. 'Among many other things he paved the way for the setting up of the Commission for Victims and Survivors where I served before politics.' HM Lord Lieutenant has learnt with sadness of the death of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, distinguished public servant and former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. — BelfastLieutenancy (@BLieutenancy) May 31, 2025 Belfast Lord Lieutenant Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle wrote: 'HM Lord Lieutenant has learnt with sadness of the death of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, distinguished public servant and former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. 'Ken brought dignity, gravitas and humanity to public life. 'To his wife Elizabeth, daughter and son, my sincere condolences. FJOB.' We offer our condolences to the family of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, a distinguished public servant who dedicated his life to others, including those injured and bereaved during NI's troubled past. — US Consulate Belfast (@USAinNI) May 31, 2025 A post from the Belfast office of the US consulate said: 'We offer our condolences to the family of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, a distinguished public servant who dedicated his life to others, including those injured and bereaved during NI's troubled past.' Sir Nigel Hamilton, another former head of the NI Civil Service told the BBC he would remember Sir Kenneth as the 'most important, the pre-eminent public servant of his time and of his generation'.
