Belturbet bombing inquiry
Brendan Smith marked the 50th anniversary of the Belturbet bombing and called for continued investigation into the attack. The Taoiseach pledged full support for Garda inquiries and cooperation North and South.
This year, 28 December marks the 50th anniversary of the despicable and heinous crime of the bombing of Belturbet, County Cavan, which caused the deaths of two young teenagers, Geraldine O'Reilly from Belturbet and Patrick Stanley from Clara, County Offaly, and injuries to many others. In September 2020, I put on the record of this House information that had come to me through the good investigative work of Dr. Edward Burke, then of the University of Nottingham, regarding the Belturbet bombing and other loyalist operations in County Cavan. Subsequently, the then Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, confirmed to me she had referred this information to An Garda Síochána for investigation.
I welcome the recent announcement by An Garda Síochána of further investigations being carried out into this despicable atrocity. I wish An Garda Síochána well with this extremely important investigation and hope there will be co-operation from the public North and South, and from all authorities North and South, that will help to identify the perpetrators of that heinous crime. I pay tribute, as I have done in this House on many occasions, to the O'Reilly and Stanley families, who have always campaigned for justice for their loved ones, seeking the truth. They have always campaigned with the utmost grace and dignity.
Will the Taoiseach give an assurance that every possible support will be provided by the Government to ensure this further investigation by An Garda Síochána is progressed as soon as possible and that we will at least get the truth in regard to that atrocity?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. He has been a persistent and constant advocate for the O'Reilly and Stanley families in respect of the horrible murders of Geraldine and Patrick. Every resource will be given to An Garda Síochána. I welcome the fact that there is a further investigation and all authorities North and South should make available whatever documents or evidence they have in respect of it. No effort will be spared to bring those who are responsible for these terrible crimes to justice.