VITAL CLUE ELUDES BOMB HUNT TEAM
Vital clue eludes bomb hunt team
Police renew public appeal
By Chris Thornton
THE senior RUC detective in charge of the Omagh bomb investigation today repeated his vow to catch the killers.
Detective chief superintendent Eric Anderson said every effort is still being put into the operation - three months after the explosion killed 29 people and injured around 250.
"There is a great determination to pursue this investigation and all the resources we require are still being poured into it," he said.
"We have a full team continually working on this investigation.
"We will not be scaling down our efforts, to detect these people."
Mr Anderson spoke as police launched a major new drive for information. The detective - who was also in charge of the team that tracked down the Greysteel killers - said he believes someone in Northern Ireland still has the key that will unlock the investigation.
To date, 11 people have been arrested and interviewed by the RUC, while gardai have questioned 31. No one has been charged in connection with the 'Real IRA' attack.
Forensic experts, including additional personnel from the Metropolitan Police, have combed through 30 tons of rubble.
And the two phone boxes the bombers used to send warnings were dug out of their foundations and examined in detail for forensic evidence.
Police say it is the first time so much attention has been paid to phone boxes in an investigation in Northern Ireland. Gardai previously took away the phone box used to phone the Canary Wharf bomb warning, and it proved to be a crucial part of the overall investigation.
Mr Anderson said today that a tiny piece of evidence could still give his team a breakthrough.
"We are pursuing a number of inquiries and it is likely that more arrests will follow but we still need help from the public," he said.
"The explosion happened over three months ago but its repercussions for the people of Omagh, the Republic of Ireland and Spain will last for many years.
"Individuals, families and entire communities have been devastated.
"As the run-up to the festive season gathers pace, those affected by the tragedy will be facing a very difficult time. Our thoughts and sympathies are with them.
"I am asking everyone in the community to help us catch the bombers.
"We are convinced that somebody out there knows something which will assist us in our investigations.
"If you know anything, anything at all, no matter how small or unimportant you think it is, we want to hear from you."
Police are set to unveil further details about the investigation next Friday night on the ITV programme Most Wanted.
Anyone with information about the bombing has been asked to phone the Omagh incident room on 01662 246979 or the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.
Police renew public appeal
By Chris Thornton
THE senior RUC detective in charge of the Omagh bomb investigation today repeated his vow to catch the killers.
Detective chief superintendent Eric Anderson said every effort is still being put into the operation - three months after the explosion killed 29 people and injured around 250.
"There is a great determination to pursue this investigation and all the resources we require are still being poured into it," he said.
"We have a full team continually working on this investigation.
"We will not be scaling down our efforts, to detect these people."
Mr Anderson spoke as police launched a major new drive for information. The detective - who was also in charge of the team that tracked down the Greysteel killers - said he believes someone in Northern Ireland still has the key that will unlock the investigation.
To date, 11 people have been arrested and interviewed by the RUC, while gardai have questioned 31. No one has been charged in connection with the 'Real IRA' attack.
Forensic experts, including additional personnel from the Metropolitan Police, have combed through 30 tons of rubble.
And the two phone boxes the bombers used to send warnings were dug out of their foundations and examined in detail for forensic evidence.
Police say it is the first time so much attention has been paid to phone boxes in an investigation in Northern Ireland. Gardai previously took away the phone box used to phone the Canary Wharf bomb warning, and it proved to be a crucial part of the overall investigation.
Mr Anderson said today that a tiny piece of evidence could still give his team a breakthrough.
"We are pursuing a number of inquiries and it is likely that more arrests will follow but we still need help from the public," he said.
"The explosion happened over three months ago but its repercussions for the people of Omagh, the Republic of Ireland and Spain will last for many years.
"Individuals, families and entire communities have been devastated.
"As the run-up to the festive season gathers pace, those affected by the tragedy will be facing a very difficult time. Our thoughts and sympathies are with them.
"I am asking everyone in the community to help us catch the bombers.
"We are convinced that somebody out there knows something which will assist us in our investigations.
"If you know anything, anything at all, no matter how small or unimportant you think it is, we want to hear from you."
Police are set to unveil further details about the investigation next Friday night on the ITV programme Most Wanted.
Anyone with information about the bombing has been asked to phone the Omagh incident room on 01662 246979 or the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0511
Published Date: 20-Nov-98
Related Images
