Call for full inquiry after collusion findings

A group representing those affected by the Dublin and Monaghan bombings yesterday urged the Taoiseach to use the findings of a new report, which highlighted links between members of the security forces in Northern Ireland and loyalist paramilitaries, to press the British authorities for a full investigation into cases of collusion.

At a press conference the Justice for the Forgotten group said that a public and transparent inquiry was the only process that would satisfy the demands of families concerned.

Secretary of the group Margaret Urwin said the publication of the report by an international panel into collusion between members of the RUC and the British army with loyalists was "highly significant".

This maintained that there was evidence of collusion in 74 murders carried out by loyalists in the 1970s.

She said half of the 76 murders examined by the international panel had been carried out in the Republic of Ireland as part of cross-Border attacks.

Ms Urwin said that she hoped that the report would also assist the members of an Oireachtas committee which is currently examining reports produced by retired judge Henry Barron into bombings and killings carried out in the Republic in the 1970s.