Kenny calls on government to issue apology after new information emerges regarding Glen of Imaal Tragedy in 1979

Dublin Mid-West People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny says is calling on Minister of Defence and Tánaiste Michael Martin to “set the record straight” on the truth of an army blast in 1979 that killed three boys in the Glen of Imaal, and to offer a state apology to families and survivors. 

On the 14th of April 1979 three boys were killed and ten other children seriously injured in the Glen of Imaal Wicklow when an army shell exploded.

The youth group from St Mary’s Youth club in Lucan were hiking up Lugnaquilla, when tragedy struck.  

This month an investigative journalist working with the journal revealed that warning signs in the area were not adequate or satisfactory.

Searches conducted in the area immediately after the explosion found fifty-four live shells.

A similar explosion seven months prior that injured three youths prompted the army to say they would put up additional warning signs.

The investigation published by The Journal on Wednesday September 18, was based on analysis of declassified reports never revealed to families, victims, or the public.  

Gino Kenny TD says the investigation by The Journal has raised a lot of questions.

“What happened in the Glen of Imaal in April 1979 has never been forgotten by many in Lucan, especially in Sarsfield Park where the three children killed came from, and who most of the kids on the day where from,” Deputy Kenny said.

“The investigation by the Journal.ie raises a lot of questions that the state must answer, and the families and survivors have a right to know the truth.

“The then Minister of Defence, Robert Molloy at the time of the tragedy when responding to opposition questions said “I accept that responsibility rests with the Department to take precautions and to take steps to ensure that there are adequate safety precautions.

“I am satisfied the Department have fulfilled their responsibility in this matter. 

“Army files known to his department at the time, would have shown that his department did not fulfil their responsibility.

“There was no way that youth leaders or the children on the day had any knowledge of the dangers into which they were walking.

“I have written to the Tánaiste Micheal Martin that an apology should be considered following the Journal’s online article.”