Latest news with #British-IrishIntergovernmentalConference
Irish Post
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Post
Tánaiste says government committed to finding 'truth and justice' for Dublin-Monaghan bombings
THE TÁNAISTE has said the government is committed to finding 'truth and justice' for the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. Simon Harris was speaking yesterday on the 51st anniversary of the bombings, which occurred on May 17, 1974, claiming the lives of 34 people. In Dublin, 27 people — including a mother and her unborn baby — were killed when three car bombs exploded in the city centre, while seven people died from a car bomb in Monaghan town. No warnings were given ahead of the explosions — for which the Ulster Volunteer Force claimed responsibility — and no one has been charged in connection with the tragedy. 'Questions that remain unanswered' Mr Harris described the attacks as 'a most horrific act of violence' but expressed his hope that the forthcoming Denton Review into the so-called Glenanne Gang would shed light on the case. "It is with great sadness that we remember the lives of the 34 people, including an unborn baby, who were taken from us on that summer afternoon," he 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. "Today is an opportunity to remind ourselves of the questions that remain unanswered. It remains deeply regrettable that no person has been held responsible for the attacks to date. "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 Dáil with the unanimous support of all political parties. "I am committed to taking this forward in a bid to get long-awaited answers." 'Callous attacks' Meanwhile, Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, called on the British Government to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigations into the bombings, which he described as 'a devastating series of coordinated explosions'. "The Government will not forget our duty to the victims and survivors, and we will persevere in our efforts to seek out the truth behind the tragic events of May 17, 1974 and, hopefully, secure some measure of comfort for those effected by these callous attacks," he said. "We have worked consistently to implement the all-party motions which call on the British Government to allow access to all relevant documents relating to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings and I specifically raised this issue with the British Government at the recent meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference at Hillsborough Castle. "The investigation into the bombings remains an open case in this jurisdiction. Any new evidence that comes to light will be fully investigated by An Garda Síochána. "The Government is committed to working with victims' groups and our Northern Ireland and British counterparts to develop fit-for-purpose mechanisms to meet the needs and expectations of all those impacted by those dark days, including the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. "We will play our full part in legacy processes including addressing the legacy of the conflict in this jurisdiction." The three bombs in Dublin exploded within minutes of each other during evening rush hour in Parnell Street, Talbot Street and South Leinster Street. Meanwhile the Monaghan bomb went off in North Street around 90 minutes later, just before 7pm. Many of the victims of the bombings were young women, including 20-year-old Colette Doherty, who was nine months pregnant and whose unborn child was later recorded as the 34th victim of the atrocity. Four members of the same young family also died in the bombs: John O'Brien, 24, his 22-year-old wife Anna and their children Jacqueline (17 months) and Anne-Marie (five months). The Dublin victims included Antonio Magliocco, 37, originally from Italy and 30-year-old Simone Chetrit, a French woman visiting the capital. The oldest victim was 80-year-old John Dargle, who was killed in the second Dublin bomb. See More: Dublin Monaghan Bombings
Dublin Live
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Dublin Live
Ireland committed to securing justice for Dublin and Monaghan bombings, Tanaiste says
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Ireland is committed to securing truth and justice for the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, the Tanaiste has said. Simon Harris was speaking on the 51st anniversary of the series of no-warning blasts which claimed more than 30 lives and injured hundreds. 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. The anniversary was marked with a service at a memorial to the atrocity on Talbot Street in Dublin city centre. 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. '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.' Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said the government 'will not forget our duty to the victims and survivors'. 'We will persevere in our efforts to seek out the truth behind the tragic events of 17 May 1974 and, hopefully, secure some measure of comfort for those effected by these callous attacks,' he said. 'We have worked consistently to implement the all-party motions which call on the British Government to allow access to all relevant documents relating to the Dublin -Monaghan bombings and I specifically raised this issue with the British Government at the recent meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference at Hillsborough Castle. 'The investigation into the bombings remains an open case in this jurisdiction. Any new evidence that comes to light will be fully investigated by An Garda Siochana.' Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Belfast Telegraph
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Robinson: Irish Republic has no right to demand anything of the UK on legacy
Gavin Robinson said he was 'genuinely perplexed' by Mr Harris's claim that the Irish government was 'negotiating' on legacy with its counterparts in Westminster. Mr Robinson, accusing the Republic of 'a callous quest to protect their own failings' on the past, said the Irish government had no right to demand anything of the UK. The Tanaiste visited Northern Ireland on Thursday for the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down. Secretary of State Hilary Benn and Mr Harris led the Anglo-Irish meeting, which focused mostly on legacy issues. Afterwards, Mr Harris said both governments are working in "very good faith" to bring about an agreed position. He said: 'We are in the middle of a negotiation and a discussion, so I don't want to go through each issue, other than to say I think a lot of progress has been made on a lot of issues.' He said the two governments will know whether they can reach an agreement on legacy issues "within weeks' Mr Benn agreed that their discussions had been "productive", adding that the governments have "moved closer together" on an agreed position. However, Mr Robinson criticised Mr Harris's comments. "I was genuinely perplexed when I watched the press conference following the BIIGC on Thursday. Hilary Benn stood mute whilst Simon Harris indicated he was negotiating legacy with 'the British',' he said. 'With such an abysmal record of their own, the Republic has no right to demand anything of the UK. 'They continue their callous quest to protect their own failings, whilst seeking to challenge our Government. In doing so, they assist in a morally corrupt rewriting of the past.' In his weekly email to DUP members, Mr Robinson said he had visited Omagh this week, where a Real IRA car bomb killed 29 people in 1998, including a woman pregnant with twins. Earlier this month the Irish government announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which allows a public inquiry into the atrocity to access material it holds. However, Mr Robinson has said Dublin should establish a parallel inquiry in its own jurisdiction. He said this month's agreement 'does not allow for a thorough examination of the actions, or inactions, of the security services in the Republic of Ireland'. He added: 'The fact that the Omagh bomb was planned, assembled and transported from across the border underscores the need for scrutiny of the role played, or missed, by authorities in the Republic.'
Irish Examiner
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Governments will know ‘within weeks' if legacy agreement can be reached
The Irish and British governments will know whether they can reach an agreement on Northern Ireland legacy issues 'within weeks', the deputy Irish premier has said. Simon Harris said both governments are working in 'very good faith' to bring about an agreed position. The Fine Gael leader made the comments following a meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) in Co Down on Thursday. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn and Tanaiste Simon Harris speak to media at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference at Hillsborough Castle (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Harris was hosted by the Northern Ireland Secretary at Hillsborough Castle for a series of talks on legacy, security and political stability. Hilary Benn and Mr Harris took part in the Anglo-Irish meeting, which focused mostly on legacy issues. The meeting was also be attended by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Fleur Anderson MP and Ireland's Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan TD. It was the first time the conference, which was established under the Good Friday Agreement, has been held in Northern Ireland since 2006. Mr Harris told reporters that the Irish Government has always had two key tests when it comes to legacy. 'Firstly, is the mechanism compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights, and secondly, does it have the support of victims and their families. They are the two principles, the two tests that we're applying in our discussions,' Mr Harris said. 'I know you, Hilary, feel very strongly in relation to that as well. We are in the middle of a negotiation and a discussion, so I don't want to go through each issue, other than to say I think a lot of progress has been made on a lot of issues. But you are right. There is a moment in time where we have to call this for many reasons, including those that Hilary has outlined. 'People are getting older. People are going to their grave still not knowing the truth in relation to the loss of their loved one. Parliamentary under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Fleur Anderson, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn, Tanaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan (Brian Lawless/PA) 'I think we will know within weeks whether it is possible to have a joint position between the two governments or not. 'I really hope it is, and we're both working in very good faith to try and bring that about. But it is now a question in my mind of within weeks.' He said it was important for both sides to come to an agreement on what legacy mechanisms look like. Describing their meeting as 'constructive', he said there were detailed discussions on the reform of the controversial Legacy Act and the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). 'I passionately believe, I know you do too, that this peace agreement, the Good Friday Agreement works best when the two governments pull in the same direction, and if at all possible, that's where we want to get to, where we could actually have a joint position in terms of a mechanism on the legacy of the past,' he added. Mr Benn agreed that their discussions had been 'productive', adding that the governments have 'moved closer together' on an agreed position on legacy issues. 'Over the the work that's been taking place in recent months, we've moved closer together,' Mr Benn said. 'I think that's a very fair reflection as what has been happening and we're putting in all of this effort, the intensive discussion that our officials have been engaged in, the regular conversations that the Tánaiste and I have had is because we want to be able to find an agreement. 'Some of the issues are quite tricky – you wouldn't expect me to go into them in this press conference today – but we're putting the work in because we believe we'll be in a stronger position if we can find an agreement, and in the end, help to build confidence in arrangements that, in the end, are going to deliver the families. 'This is what it's all about. It is the families that we have to have in mind, and in particular, the many families I have met who are still searching for answers, in some cases after very many years, about what exactly happened to their loved ones. And we all have an obligation to find a mechanism that will finally give them the answers they have sought for so long.' He said he had agreed with Mr Harris to meet again before the end of May. Tanaiste Simon Harris (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr O'Callaghan described the meeting as 'productive and engaging'. 'We discussed a variety of issues, the main one which was legacy, but we also discussed security cooperation,' Mr O'Callaghan added. 'I was very pleased to be able to emphasise at the meeting the agreement that has been reached between the Irish Government and the chairperson of the Omagh inquiry, which I think is a substantial agreement, a memorandum of understanding that I believe is going to provide an avenue to which documentary evidence will be provided by the Irish Government to the inquiry. 'As well as discussing legacy, however, I think it's also important that we concentrate and focus on the other areas where there is excellent agreement between our two governments.' Meanwhile, Ms Anderson said an update was given on the UK government's commitment to helping the Executive 'transform' public services. She also said security and other areas of cooperation were discussed. 'It's been a very positive meeting,' she said. 'The recent release of £129m from the UK government's £235m transformation fund has been allocated to priority areas including health, education and justice, and we're keen to see positive change implemented for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.' The meeting follows the UK-Ireland summit in March when the two governments pledged to work closely to deliver security, investment and growth. At the time, British prime minister Keir Starmer said the relationship between the UK and Ireland had 'reset' following a 'turbulent' post-Brexit period.
Irish Times
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Decision on NI legacy issues due ‘within weeks', says Tánaiste
The Irish and UK governments will know whether they can reach an agreement on Northern Ireland legacy issues 'within weeks', Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has said. He said both governments are working in 'very good faith' to bring about an agreed position. The Fine Gael leader made the comments following a meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) in Co Down on Thursday. Mr Harris was hosted by the Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn Hillsborough Castle for a series of talks on legacy, security and political stability. READ MORE Mr Benn and Mr Harris took part in the Anglo-Irish meeting, which focused mostly on legacy issues. The meeting was also be attended by Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan and by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Fleur Anderson, It was the first time the conference, which was established under the Belfast Agreement, has been held in Northern Ireland since 2006. Mr Harris told reporters that the Irish Government has always had two key tests when it comes to legacy. 'Firstly, is the mechanism compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights, and secondly, does it have the support of victims and their families. They are the two principles, the two tests that we're applying in our discussions,' Mr Harris said. 'I know you, Hilary, feel very strongly in relation to that as well. We are in the middle of a negotiation and a discussion, so I don't want to go through each issue, other than to say I think a lot of progress has been made on a lot of issues. But you are right. There is a moment in time where we have to call this for many reasons, including those that Hilary has outlined. 'People are getting older. People are going to their grave still not knowing the truth in relation to the loss of their loved one. 'I think we will know within weeks whether it is possible to have a joint position between the two governments or not. 'I really hope it is, and we're both working in very good faith to try and bring that about. But it is now a question in my mind of within weeks.' He said it was important for both sides to come to an agreement on what legacy mechanisms look like. Describing their meeting as 'constructive', he said there were detailed discussions on the reform of the controversial Legacy Act and the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). 'I passionately believe, I know you do too, that this peace agreement, the Good Friday Agreement works best when the two governments pull in the same direction, and if at all possible, that's where we want to get to, where we could actually have a joint position in terms of a mechanism on the legacy of the past,' he added. Mr Benn agreed that their discussions had been 'productive', adding that the governments have 'moved closer together' on an agreed position on legacy issues. 'Over the the work that's been taking place in recent months, we've moved closer together,' Mr Benn said. 'I think that's a very fair reflection as what has been happening and we're putting in all of this effort, the intensive discussion that our officials have been engaged in, the regular conversations that the Tánaiste and I have had is because we want to be able to find an agreement. 'Some of the issues are quite tricky – you wouldn't expect me to go into them in this press conference today – but we're putting the work in because we believe we'll be in a stronger position if we can find an agreement, and in the end, help to build confidence in arrangements that, in the end, are going to deliver the families. 'This is what it's all about. It is the families that we have to have in mind, and in particular, the many families I have met who are still searching for answers, in some cases after very many years, about what exactly happened to their loved ones. And we all have an obligation to find a mechanism that will finally give them the answers they have sought for so long.' Mr Benn said he and Mr Harris had agreed to meet again before the end of May. - PA
