Dundalk bombing raised in Dáil as anniversary nears

As the 50th anniversary of the Dundalk bombing approaches this December, renewed attention is being drawn to the tragic event. In the Dáil this week, Louth TD Deputy Erin McGreehan raised the issue with Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan in the Dail.

"In light of this enduring trauma, the anniversary coming up, many unanswered questions and not a semblance of any justice, what actions has the Minister's Department taken for direct engagement with Northern Ireland in relation to this to secure some release of information and some accountability, particularly regarding the long-standing allegations of collusion?"

The 1975 bombing, widely believed to have involved loyalist paramilitaries and elements within British security forces, remains officially unsolved. Over the decades, allegations of state collusion have persisted, but without resolution.

Responding in the Dáil, Minister of State Jim O’Callaghan acknowledged the painful legacy of the attack and the failure, to date, to bring perpetrators to justice.

"Regrettably, nobody has been brought to justice for those murders," O’Callaghan said. "Technically, it is an ongoing Garda investigation but the reality is that we are going to have to try to get some mechanism to deal with this and others as legacy issues."

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He confirmed that discussions between the Irish and British Governments are continuing with a focus on how best to address the wider legacy of the Troubles, suggesting that the Dundalk bombing falls clearly within the scope of events requiring deeper investigation and accountability.

"I will keep the Deputy apprised of any developments on that," he added.