Revised: February 09, 2008.

The Argus, 6 February 2008:

Calls for public inquiry

Deputy Seamus Kirk has called for the setting up of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission similar to that in South Africa.

He described last week's Dail discussion as 'significant'. His constituency of Louth was at the coalface of the Troubles in the North from the late 1960s until the peace process  took hold in the 1990s.

Recalling the murder of forestry worker Seamus Ludlow, he pointed out that 'to date, nobody has been prosecuted for that crime.'

'The brutal murder of Mr Ludlow has had a profound effect on his family. Over  the years they have worked tirelessly to get to the truth of his murder and it is a great credit to them that their determination to get to the truth is as strong today as it was in May 1976.'

He hoped that a  public inquiry formula can be agreed to allow the circumstances surrounding the case to be fully and satisfactorily examined and reported on.

The bombing of Kay's Tavern in Crowe Street in December 1975 was another incident in Louth, said the Deputy. Two people were killed and many injured. The Barron inquiry reported that the UVF and the British security forces colluded in the attack on Donnelly's Bar in Silverbridge the same evening.

'The obvious question is whether trhe British security forces were aware of the bombing in Dundalk. The Barron report concluded that a UVF gang from Glenanne were behind the shootings in Silverbridge.

'It also concluded that the British security forces should have known who were responsible for the Dundalk bombing. However, without proof of identity of those involved in the bombing, it is difficult to prove or disprove collusion in that case.'

Deputy Kirk continued that one only had to listen to the family members of those who were killed to understand that the need for truth is essential for healing. 'I cannot forget either the sadness visited on the Cooley Peninsula when the late Tom Oliver was brutally murdered. I know his family and I am aware of how they have been affected by his murder.'

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