Families of 1974 bombing victims to sue UK

Relatives of victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings are to take the unprecedented legal step of suing the United Kingdom for breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights. The action is based on new evidence received by the relatives group earlier this year from former members of the security forces in Northern Ireland. The legal proceedings are due to get underway here next week and involves several members of the relatives group.

Just two days ago, Victims Commissioner John Wilson recommended a private inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. Acknowledging the report as a step in the right direction, relatives of the 33 people killed and some of the 300 injured are that still insistent that a public inquiry is the only means of getting at the truth of what happened on the 17th May 1974.

In a surprise move this afternoon, it was announced that several members of the relatives group will institute individual proceedings against the UK, these include exemplary damages for the loss of lives and for the personal injuries sustained by the wounded. The action is backed up by new evidence given to the relatives group in March of this year by former members of the security forces.

Solicitor for the relatives group said that the new material they received was "shocking in its detail". Greg O'Neill said that this new evidence connected these individuals "in a very close way to the planning and execution of the explosions." The material has already been given to the government and the Garda commissioner. The Taoiseach was informed yesterday of the relatives intention to bring the court action. The group has called on the government for its support in bringing these cases forward.