An investigation into the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings was last night given a fifth extension to its timeframe since it was established in April of last year, writes Stephen Collins
The commission of investigation, headed by the leading criminal law barrister Patrick MacEntee, has sought the five extensions in an effort to get more material from security sources about the bombings.
The latest extension, to October 31st, was agreed by the Government at cabinet yesterday. Later a Government spokesperson said Mr MacEntee was expected to be in a position to conclude his investigations by the October deadline.
The commission made an apparent breakthrough earlier this year when Mr MacEntee and his team travelled outside the jurisdiction to interview individuals who had important information.
Thirty-three people died and 300 were injured when four car bombs exploded in Dublin and Monaghan on May 17th, 1974.
No organisation claimed responsibility for the attacks, but loyalist paramilitaries were widely blamed.
This is the first such commission of investigation established under new legislation to fast-track inquiries into matters of public concern as an alternative to time-consuming and expensive judicial tribunals.
The terms of reference of the commission were to undertake a thorough investigation and a report on why the Garda investigation was wound down in 1974; why gardaí did not follow up on information that a white van with an English registration was parked outside the Department of Posts and Telegraphs on Portland Row and was later seen parked in the deep sea area of the B & I ferry port in Dublin; and the subsequent contact with a British army officer on a ferry boat leaving Dublin.