Minister for Justice Helen McEntee on the 50th anniversary of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings

"Today is a day to remember and reflect.

"Fifty years have passed since that dreadful day on the streets of Dublin city centre and Monaghan town. It is as incomprehensible today, as it was all those decades ago, to think that bombs could be planted so callously, with no regard for human life. Three bombs exploded in Dublin city centre and a fourth in Monaghan Town. The scale of the attack was without compare, it is the greatest loss of life on a single day of the Troubles.

"Such a large scale tragic and unjustified loss of life continues to effect countless families. Despite the passage of time, they continue to feel the loss of their loved ones deeply. This loss has been compounded by the frustration and hurt of unanswered questions.

"The survivors and the families of the victims remain firm in their quest for justice and for information about what happened to their loved ones. 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.

"This landmark anniversary brings with it a new focus and desire to establish the truth of what happened on 17 May 1974. The government for our part, will continue to pursue all possible avenues to uncover the truth of what happened on this day in 1974."