OMAGH BLAST SUSPECTS ARE RELEASED
Omagh blast suspects are released
Flanagan is confident that charges will come
By Martin Breen
RUC detectives have released the last of the men being quizzed about the Omagh bombing.
The man was released without charge last night, after being questioned since Monday about last August's Real IRA attack, which killed 29 people and left more than 300 injured.
His release came as RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan predicted further charges would be brought over the atrocity.
In the Republic, two men being questioned by police about the bomb outrage were also released without charge yesterday evening.
The men, from Louth and Kilkenny, had been held at Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.
The pair were among a total of seven men rounded up this week in the Republic, by garda detectives working in close co-operation with the RUC.
One of those detained in the swoops, Colm Murphy (48) who is from Co Armagh, but has an address in Co Louth, became the first person to face charges related to the Omagh bombing when he appeared in court on Wednesday.
He was accused at the anti-terrorist Special Criminal Court in Dublin of conspiracy to cause an explosion and membership of an illegal organisation and was remanded in custody until next month.
Among those arrested in Northern Ireland was Francie Mackey (44) chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee.
Mr Mackey was released earlier yesterday.
Earlier Sir Ronnie, who was on a one-day visit to Dublin, looked forward to more people being charged over the incident.
He said: "I am extremely confident that more people will be brought before the courts in due course - there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done.
"This represents the closest liaison between my officers and (Irish Police Commissioner) Pat Byrne's officers.
"It is been a tremendous investigation. We are pleased with the progress to date, but much more has to be done.
"I am confident that when that has been done, further people will be brought before the courts."
Flanagan is confident that charges will come
By Martin Breen
RUC detectives have released the last of the men being quizzed about the Omagh bombing.
The man was released without charge last night, after being questioned since Monday about last August's Real IRA attack, which killed 29 people and left more than 300 injured.
His release came as RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan predicted further charges would be brought over the atrocity.
In the Republic, two men being questioned by police about the bomb outrage were also released without charge yesterday evening.
The men, from Louth and Kilkenny, had been held at Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.
The pair were among a total of seven men rounded up this week in the Republic, by garda detectives working in close co-operation with the RUC.
One of those detained in the swoops, Colm Murphy (48) who is from Co Armagh, but has an address in Co Louth, became the first person to face charges related to the Omagh bombing when he appeared in court on Wednesday.
He was accused at the anti-terrorist Special Criminal Court in Dublin of conspiracy to cause an explosion and membership of an illegal organisation and was remanded in custody until next month.
Among those arrested in Northern Ireland was Francie Mackey (44) chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee.
Mr Mackey was released earlier yesterday.
Earlier Sir Ronnie, who was on a one-day visit to Dublin, looked forward to more people being charged over the incident.
He said: "I am extremely confident that more people will be brought before the courts in due course - there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done.
"This represents the closest liaison between my officers and (Irish Police Commissioner) Pat Byrne's officers.
"It is been a tremendous investigation. We are pleased with the progress to date, but much more has to be done.
"I am confident that when that has been done, further people will be brought before the courts."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0565
Published Date: 26-Feb-99
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