LAST UPDATE | 17 May 2023
A WREATH-LAYING ceremony has taken place to mark the 49th anniversary of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings.
More than 30 people were killed by three no-warning bombs in Dublin city centre and a fourth in Monaghan town on 17 May 1974.
No one has ever been convicted over the bombings that have been blamed on loyalist paramilitaries.
An official memorial in Dublin honours the 35 victims of the bombings, which include two unborn babies.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy, Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council Seán Conlon and Tánaiste Micheál Martin spoke at the ceremony and lay wreaths.
Journalist Vincent Browne delivered the annual oration.
Martha O’Neill, whose husband Edward was killed and two sons were injured in one of the blasts in Dublin, lost her unborn baby girl Martha in the aftermath of the atrocity.
Another victim, Colette Doherty, had also been pregnant when she was killed.
Justice Minister Simon Harris has said that the victims of the bombings will not be forgotten, and the government is committed to seeking out the truth about the bombings.
“It is hard to believe that on a day such as this all those years ago, ordinary people going about their daily lives had those lives so callously and brutally attacked,” Harris said.
“But, like so many other incidents of violence on this island during the Troubles, that was the tragic reality for those caught up in the bombings on that day.
“The scale of this atrocity will always be remembered.
It was the greatest loss of life on a single day of the Troubles and it continues to affect countless families.
“The Government is fully committed to seeking out the truth behind those events and, hopefully, to secure some measure of comfort for the victims’ families and the survivors.
“Twenty-five years on from the Good Friday Agreement, it is important that we remember what has been achieved since 1998, but also challenge ourselves to take up the crucial work of reconciliation.
“The Good Friday Agreement recognised the need for a particular acknowledgement of the position of victims.”
Last week, Harris met with the families of the Disappeared, including Oliver McVeigh, the brother of missing 19-year-old Columba McVeigh.
“So many on this island have been affected by the multitude of horrific acts that were carried out during the Troubles and the Irish Government will not forget our duty to victims and survivors,” he said.
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