IRISH Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been urged by the widow of a victim to release “secret” files on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings on the 45th anniversary of the attacks.

Martha O’Neill, whose husband Edward was among the 33 killed in the loyalist bombings in May 1974, said Mr Varadkar should consider “this reasonable and fair request” which could help the families in their quest for justice.

She said “secret documents” have been held by his office since they were deposited by the McEntee Commission which investigated the flawed probe into the bombings.

The report said it was likely that British security force personnel or MI5 intelligence were involved, but the inquiry was hindered by the British government’s refusal to release key documents.

The Justice for the Forgotten campaign group demanded an open investigation with serious allegations that British security services, including those involved with the notorious Glenanne Gang, worked with loyalist paramilitaries to plant the series of bombs which caused the deadliest attacks of the so-called Troubles period.

Families paid their respects to the victims with a wreath-laying ceremony on Friday’s anniversary.