Brendan Smith demands inquiry into 1972 Beltorba bombing
Deputy Brendan Smith raised the 1972 Beltorba bombing that killed Geraldine O'Reilly and Paddy Stanley and pressed for a full, thorough investigation and answers for the victims' families. He cited new material from Edward Burke of the University of Nottingham alleging collusion between British state forces and loyalist paramilitaries.
Incident and unresolved deaths
On 28 December 1972 a bomb originating in County Fermanagh caused the deaths of Geraldine O'Reilly and Paddy Stanley in Beltorba County Cavern and injured many others. No one has been brought to justice for the attack and, Smith said, there has never been a proper or thorough investigation in Northern Ireland into those responsible.
New evidence and collusion allegations
Smith told the House he had new information developed through the work of Edward Burke of the University of Nottingham that raises concerns about collusion between British state forces and loyalist paramilitaries in relation to bombings in the southern Barthar counties. He raised that material during oral questions to the Minister for Justice on 10 September.
Appeal to the Taoiseach and authorities
Smith asked the Taoiseach to pursue the matter again with Northern Ireland and British authorities to secure proper, full and thorough investigations into the Beltorba bombing. He said the families of O'Reilly and Stanley deserve the truth and identification of those responsible.
Official response and next steps
The Taoiseach acknowledged the Garda investigation remains open and said he would pursue the issue with the British and Northern Ireland authorities. He accepted that the families have been left without answers and urged state and non-state actors who hold information to come forward. The Taoiseach pledged to do what he possibly can to seek further answers for the families.
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Thank you and ask, Concord. Teachta, on 28th December 1972, a bomb which originated in County Fermanagh caused the deaths of Geraldine O'Reilly and Paddy Stanley in Beltorba County Cavern and injuries to many other people. Unfortunately, nobody has ever been brought to justice for this heinous crime. There has never been a proper or thorough investigation in Northern Ireland into the persons responsible for this activity. Teachta, on 10th September last, during oral questions to the Minister for Justice, I brought to the attention of the House new and information that had come to me through the work of Edward Burke of the University of Nottingham in regard to collusion between British state forces and loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland in relation to bombings in the southern Barthar counties. Can I ask, Taoiseach, if you will pursue again with the Northern Ireland and the British authorities the need to have proper, full and thorough investigations into the bombing in Beltorba. The least these families, the O'Reilly and Stanley families, deserve is the truth. The identity of the reprehensible people who caused the deaths of two young innocent people. It is never too late to get the truth. The murder of two young innocent people in Beltorba. Back in 1972, two teenagers, Geraldine O'Reilly and Patrick Stanley, was a reprehensible crime. It is important, and I know that Deputy Brendan Smith and both Deputy Smith have been pursuing this for quite some time. The Guard investigation is still an open investigation, but I will pursue this issue with the British authorities and with the authorities in Northern Ireland. I accept the point that both deputies have said in relation to the fact that the families involved have been left with no answers. Unfortunately, in recent times, we have a number of cases now where many different families have not got closure. I think this includes the British government, but also the non-state actors who continue to stay silent about what they know. They need to start living up to their obligations in terms of telling people what they know about heinous crimes of this kind. In this particular case, I will do what I possibly can to see if we can get further answers for the families. Thank you, Taoiseach. Thank you, Taoiseach. Thank you. Thank you.
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