The 1974 Dublin-Monaghan bombings resulted in the biggest loss of life in a single day of the Troubles. Some 34 people lost their lives on that fateful day and over 300 were injured. The Ulster Volunteer Force was responsible for that.

For over half a century, going into the 51st year now, the families of those victims are still searching for the truth. That journey has taken them on many roads with many disappointments. Yesterday, many of them headed to Belfast to hear the progress report on Operation Denton as part of the Kenova report, which was a group that was looking into the activities of the UVF and the alleged collusion between the security forces and that organisation. While no evidence of collusion was found, it is widely accepted that it was widespread at that time. Unfortunately, the report will not be published in full until the new year, so the families will spend another Christmas searching for that truth. It is hard to put into words to the Members here today to try to gauge the effect that has on the town of Monaghan, on this city and, indeed, on the families who are still looking for answers. My thoughts are with them this Christmas as they spend another year searching for the truth. To Margaret Urwin and the Justice for the Forgotten group and, indeed, all those families who have been on this journey for so long and who have conducted their business in such a dignified manner, I salute them, and I pray that 2026 will bring them the answers they are seeking.