OMAGH: MORE ARRESTS
OMAGH: MORE ARRESTS
Two held after dawn swoops
By Gavin Mairs
TWO more men were today arrested in connection with the Omagh bomb by gardai in planned swoops near the border.
The men, both from Co Louth, were being questioned by detectives in stations in Monaghan and Clones after separate arrests in Dundalk at 7am. A gardai spokeswoman said the two men - one described as being in his mid-twenties, the other in his mid-thirties - could be held for up to 72 hours.
The arrests come just three days after the first person was charged with offences relating to the August 15 tragedy.
Colm Murphy (48), a native of Belleeks, Co Armagh, appeared at an anti-terrorist Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Wednesday.
He was remanded in custody on two charges - conspiring to cause explosions likely to cause damage to life or buildings and membership of an illegal organisation.
But a number of men held following arrests earlier this week by police on both sides of the border - including Omagh councillor Francis Mackey - have been released without charge.
Mr Mackey, chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee, was arrested on Monday and released without charge on Wednesday as part of the probe into the Omagh bombing.
He said he was an innocent man and accused the authorities of trying to vilify republicans and stifle criticism of the Agreement.
"My photo opportunity arrest, as one of those taken in a political roundup, is a blatant attempt to quell growing political opposition to the Stormont deal with repression," he said.
"Any suggestion that I was held on any other basis than a political agenda does not merit the dignity of an answer."
He claimed that it was evident from "the nature of the investigations" that the RUC knew they had "lifted an innocent man".
But an RUC spokesman refuted Mr Mackey's claims.
"Mr Mackey's suggestion that his arrest was a photo opportunity is nonsense," he said.
"There are no photos of him being arrested and we arranged no publicity.
"We do not release names of people we arrest until they have appeared in court."
Meanwhile, it was revealed today that Scotland's Old Firm, Rangers and Celtic, are planning a massive double boost for the Omagh bomb fund.
Both clubs are set to play games at Omagh Towns home ground, St Julian's Road, later this year.
Omagh Town manager Roy McCreadie today confirmed that both clubs will play separate matches - thus earning the appeal double money.
Two held after dawn swoops
By Gavin Mairs
TWO more men were today arrested in connection with the Omagh bomb by gardai in planned swoops near the border.
The men, both from Co Louth, were being questioned by detectives in stations in Monaghan and Clones after separate arrests in Dundalk at 7am. A gardai spokeswoman said the two men - one described as being in his mid-twenties, the other in his mid-thirties - could be held for up to 72 hours.
The arrests come just three days after the first person was charged with offences relating to the August 15 tragedy.
Colm Murphy (48), a native of Belleeks, Co Armagh, appeared at an anti-terrorist Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Wednesday.
He was remanded in custody on two charges - conspiring to cause explosions likely to cause damage to life or buildings and membership of an illegal organisation.
But a number of men held following arrests earlier this week by police on both sides of the border - including Omagh councillor Francis Mackey - have been released without charge.
Mr Mackey, chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee, was arrested on Monday and released without charge on Wednesday as part of the probe into the Omagh bombing.
He said he was an innocent man and accused the authorities of trying to vilify republicans and stifle criticism of the Agreement.
"My photo opportunity arrest, as one of those taken in a political roundup, is a blatant attempt to quell growing political opposition to the Stormont deal with repression," he said.
"Any suggestion that I was held on any other basis than a political agenda does not merit the dignity of an answer."
He claimed that it was evident from "the nature of the investigations" that the RUC knew they had "lifted an innocent man".
But an RUC spokesman refuted Mr Mackey's claims.
"Mr Mackey's suggestion that his arrest was a photo opportunity is nonsense," he said.
"There are no photos of him being arrested and we arranged no publicity.
"We do not release names of people we arrest until they have appeared in court."
Meanwhile, it was revealed today that Scotland's Old Firm, Rangers and Celtic, are planning a massive double boost for the Omagh bomb fund.
Both clubs are set to play games at Omagh Towns home ground, St Julian's Road, later this year.
Omagh Town manager Roy McCreadie today confirmed that both clubs will play separate matches - thus earning the appeal double money.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0568
Published Date: 27-Feb-99
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