Sinn Fein could be withholding information on who planted 1974 bombs for which the Birmingham Six were wrongfully jailed, the deputy Irish premier told the Dail parliament today.

A total of 21 people were killed and 182 were injured in the two pub blasts, which were blamed on the IRA. Six Belfast men were later jailed for life but had their convictions overturned in 1991 after the original forensic evidence was found to be unsafe.

Tanaiste and Justice Minister Michael McDowell today pointed his finger at Sinn Fein as he responded to calls for a public inquiry into the Dublin Monaghan bombings in 1974, by Sinn Fein’s Dail leader Caoimhghin O Caolain.

A two-year Government-commissioned report into the atrocities - in which 33 people were killed - found no evidence that the winding down of the Garda investigation was linked to security force collusion.

Mr McDowell told the Dail parliament: "I believe the report deserves time and consideration and it is something we have to come back to consider in this House in whatever we agree to do so."

But he added: "When the deputy is calling for a public inquiry into that particular atrocity, we must remember that on the November 21, 1974, 21 people were killed in Birmingham and there was a massive miscarriage of justice.

"We have never had an inquiry and people much closer to him (Mr O Caolain) know the truth of all of that."

The IRA has never admitted responsibility for the bombings. Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams expressed his regret at the atrocities at a 30th anniversary memorial service in 2004.