A group representing the survivors of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings has called on the British government to release all files it holds pertaining to the cross-Border bombing campaigns of the 1970s.
Justice for the Forgotten spokeswoman Margaret Urwin said the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland on May 17th, the anniversary of the 1974 bombings, marks a ”golden opportunity for her prime minister [David Cameron] to announce a significant gesture of reconciliation by opening the files”
Ms Urwin said it is an “extraordinary coincidence” that the queen is arriving on that day.
“When we heard this date was going to coincide with Queen Elizabeth’s visit we thought what better symbol of reconciliation could there be on this very historic occasion.”
Ms Urwin told RTÉ's Morning Ireland the documents have been consistently withheld from all inquiries into the cross-border bombings of the 1970s and that they should now be made available to an international judicial figure for assessment as called for in an all-party Dáil motion in 2008.
She said Justice for the Forgotten had contacted the British government after the “extraordinary speech and apology” by Mr Cameron in the wake of the Saville inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday “He spoke about the truth making us stronger rather than weaker and we were encouraged by his words,” she said.
Justice for the Forgotten subsequently met with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Owen Patterson but Ms Urwin said the group now needs the “[Irish] Government to get behind us”.
Ms Urwin said they have requested meetings with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and are currently meeting members of the Opposition parties.
The UVF bombings in Dublin and Monaghan in 1974 caused the largest single loss of life during the troubles killing 33 people including a pregnant woman.
A wreath-laying ceremony will take place on Talbot Street to mark the 37th anniversary of the atrocity.