JUSTICE campaigners vowed to fight on after the release of key documents regarding British state collusion in the deadliest killing of the Troubles was blocked by a Belfast court today.

A High Court judge ordered a U-turn on a December decision to disclose documents relating to the Monaghan/Dublin bombings of May 17 1974 – the deadliest single day of the Troubles, in which 34 people were killed.

Survivors and the bereaved are suing over the alleged involvement of British soldiers and the police, who they claim aided a notorious loyalist paramilitary gang to carry out three bombings in the Dublin rush hour and another in Monaghan 90 minutes later.

The victims were mainly young women and included an unborn baby with the attacks branded “an act of international terrorism involving British state forces” by the Irish parliament.

The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) – which had its status as a proscribed organisation lifted days after the explosions – claimed responsibility for the no-warning blasts in 1993, however nobody has ever been brought to justice.

Mr Justice McAlinden heard the key allegation was that members of the security forces were part of the gang who carried out the blasts, however he upheld an appeal by the defendants over the disclosure of documents.

Writs were issued in December against the Chief Constable, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and government representatives claiming state representatives either aided those responsible or ran them as agents.

Their lawyer Paul McLaughlin argued that the issue of jurisdiction, to establish if the claim has been brought in time, should be dealt with first. He confirmed the police and the military deny any liability or responsibility.

Margaret Urwin, of Justice for the Forgotten, vowed to continue the fight but blasted the court saying it was “appalling it’s being dragged out like this. Another setback. Delay, delay, delay.”

The families of the victims and survivors argue the claim must be heard in the north of Ireland, which has better provision to hear such cases under the legacy framework. 

In the south, a statute of limitations gives three years to bring a claim meaning many cases relating to the Troubles would be out of time.

Ms Urwin told the Star: “The planning, the conspiracy, the making of the bombs and the procurement of cars was made in the north and the bombers made their getaway to the north. So many setbacks.”

She explained the families were disappointed with yesterday’s decision with many having travelled to Belfast upbeat after December’s hearing.

“They are disappointed but we live to fight on,” she said. “Nobody is ready to throw in the towel. We are all determined.”