The Dundalk Democrat reports PSNI Chief Constable's meeting with an Oireachtas Committee.

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Hugh Watters, Dundalk, one of the victims of collusion involving the RUC. British Army/UDR and UVF killers. Jack Rooney, another Dundalk man to die in the Dundalk bombing of 19 December 1976 - murdered by UVF killers in collusion with elements from the RUC and the British Army/UDR.

The Dundalk Democrat, 15 November 2006:

'We just want the truth'

New investigation into 1975 bombing

By Anne Marie Eaton

The families of those killed in the 1975 Dundalk bombings have said that a new investigation into the alleged collusion surrounding the deaths of Jack Rooney and Hugh Watters may at last see the victims' families getting the apology they deserve.

Speaking after an historic meeting between PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde and an Oireachtas Committee, Jack Rooney's daughter Maura McKeever said she felt there was no other option but to set up a new investigation.

"I have to say Hugh Orde tried his best to avoid giving answers but he had to announce that the Historical Enquiries Team were setting up a new investigation."

Maura believes the recent publication of an independent report into 25 atrocities meant that the authorities were backed into a corner.

Maura also revealed that she almost never made it to the historic meeting in Leinster House as she along with other families were not notified.

"We found out by chance that the meeting was taking place and when we phoned on Thursday were told a letter was being sent out. None of us have received a letter since, if there ever was going to be a letter."

Maura said that some people are still insensitive to their search for the truth and their desire to follow proceedings every step of the way.

"We want the truth about the perpetrators and the role of the state to be found and made known."

( Pictured L-R) Margaret English (daughter of the late Hugh Watters) and Maura McKeever (daughter of the late Jack Rooney). standing at the Dundalk bombing memorial, outside the Town Hall, Crowe Street, Duundalk. In meeting with the families the panel found: "What happened long ago has not been forgotten or relegated to the past. Their wounds have not been healed. Their suffering has not been alleviated."

The panel involved in the report's compilation examined 25 cases of suspected loyalist paramilitary violence in Northern Ireland during the period 1972 to 1977.

It said that in 24 of the 25 cases evidence suggested collusion between members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) or the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR)

On subsequent investigations the report states: "Both the original investigations and the later police investigations were deficient by any reasonable standard."

Maura McKeever said she hopes that the next report will bring about another historic event.

"I just want both governments to acknowledge our hurt, to admit to the collusion, to apologise and to ensure that it can never happen again."

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