Almost three decades later, the British government has apologized for the fact that Father James Chesney was not properly investigated following the Claudy bombings.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the British government was ‘profoundly sorry’ during the House of Commons weekly question time. He added that terrorists had been responsible for what he described as a despicable act. He said that the British government was not considering holding a public inquiry into the bombings.

The bombings occurred on July 31st 1972 when three car bombs exploded in the village of Claudy in Co. Derry. Nine people were killed the youngest of which was an eight year old girl.

Last month Northern Ireland’s police ombudsman published a report into the bombing which concluded that a local Catholic priest Father James Chesney was a member of the IRA and had played a pivotal role in the planning of the bombings. The report disclosed collusion between the Northern Irish Police, government and the Catholic Church at that time to cover up the involvement of Father Chesney.

Yesterday it emerged that Northern Ireland Deputy Minister Martin Mc Guinness visited Father Chesney shortly before he died in 1982. Mr. Mc Guinness insisted that they did not discuss the Claudy bombings during his visit but rather they spoke about the priests support for a united Ireland.