Statement by Minister McEntee on the 50th anniversary of the Dundalk bombing and the Silverbridge attack

Today marks the 50th anniversary of both the Dundalk bombing and the attack on Donnelly’s Bar, Silverbridge, just across the border in Armagh. These were two horrific acts of violence, just before Christmas in 1975 that shocked the nation and claimed the lives of five innocent people.

It is with great sadness that we remember the lives of Jack Rooney, Hugh Watters, Trevor Brecknell, Patrick Donnelly and Michael Donnelly. My thoughts are with their families on this difficult day.

It remains deeply regrettable that no one has been held responsible for the attacks, on either side of the border, to date.

The Dublin Monaghan bombings, the Dundalk bombing, and the Silverbridge attack, all linked to the Glenanne Gang, are currently the subject of Operation Denton, an independent police review into a series of serious crimes linked to that terrorist group.

The summary of Operation Denton, included in the full Kenova Report published last week, was deeply shocking: collusion involved “vicious and serious criminal activity”, including bombings and murder, and “paramilitary groups were regularly supplied with intelligence by members of the security forces”.

The publication of the full report of Operation Denton, which I hope to see in the near future, will give renewed impetus to this work.

The Joint Framework on legacy, agreed between the two Governments in September, will also provide for the fullest possible cross-border co-operation on legacy cases, including the attacks of 19 December 1975, once implemented.

Families have waited too long for answers.