Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD today expressed her solidarity with the families and friends of the 33 people and unborn baby who were killed in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings on this day 50 years ago.

Ms McDonald reiterated her call for the British government to release any information it holds associated with the bombings, and to assist the families in their efforts to ensure that justice is pursued and finally delivered.

Teachta McDonald said:

“Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, which resulted in the highest number of deaths and casualties during the course of the conflict.

“Friday May 17 1974 remains a date that is marked deep in the psyche of our nation and on this mournful day, I want to extend my continued sympathy to the survivors and loved ones of the victims.

“I also want to commend the continued work of the ‘Justice for the Forgotten’ group and the vital support that they give to the victims and families.

“For 50 long years, they have fought courageously for the truth and justice that is still so callously denied to them.

“To deny people the truth is wrong, and is an injustice that survivors and families of the victims have now carried around with them for half a century.

“It is now time to do right by those families and survivors, so I again call on the British government to release any information it holds associated with the bombings, and to assist all efforts to ensure that justice is pursued and delivered.

“Operation Denton is tasked with carrying out an analysis of the Glenanne Gang and the extent of any State collusion which includes reviewing the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, and other bombings and killings that have been attributed to the Glenanne Gang,

“The government must continue to ensure that all requests for material and assistance from Operation Denton to authorities in this jurisdiction are dealt with as a matter of priority, and the government must also call out the British government to ensure that material relevant to the work of Operation Denton is provided to their investigators.

“Now is the time for the light of truth, now is the time for justice for the forgotten.”