HUNT FOR HOAXER GROWS
Hunt for 'hoaxer' grows
Evil caller torments the families of dead boys
By Enda McClafferty
GARDAI today stepped up their efforts 'to catch a hoaxer tormenting the families of two Buncrana boys killed in the Omagh bombing.
As exclusively revealed in the Belfast Telegraph yesterday, the families of Sean McLaughlin and Oran Doherty have been bombarded with malicious calls from an anonymous source over the past week.
On each occasion the caller asked to speak with the dead boys before hanging up.
It understood up to eight calls were made in the past week alone.
Although gardai have refused to comment directly about the case, sources close to the investigation said every possible resource is being made available.
"The gardai are pulling out all the stops and are using all available means open to them, including extra personnel, to try and catch this twisted person," he said.
"The caller always disguises his voice which makes it harder to determine whether or not he is local, but the gardai are still confident of tracking him down.
"There understandably is a great deal of anger in the town and the sooner this person is caught the better."
Local curate Father Shane Bradley said the calls had caused a great deal of distress in the community.
"I cannot understand how anyone could set out to try and heap further suffering on these families. They have been through enough without this," he said.
"I am surprised how well the families have been able to cope and much of the anger they felt about their sons deaths is now being directed towards the people making these calls."
Evil caller torments the families of dead boys
By Enda McClafferty
GARDAI today stepped up their efforts 'to catch a hoaxer tormenting the families of two Buncrana boys killed in the Omagh bombing.
As exclusively revealed in the Belfast Telegraph yesterday, the families of Sean McLaughlin and Oran Doherty have been bombarded with malicious calls from an anonymous source over the past week.
On each occasion the caller asked to speak with the dead boys before hanging up.
It understood up to eight calls were made in the past week alone.
Although gardai have refused to comment directly about the case, sources close to the investigation said every possible resource is being made available.
"The gardai are pulling out all the stops and are using all available means open to them, including extra personnel, to try and catch this twisted person," he said.
"The caller always disguises his voice which makes it harder to determine whether or not he is local, but the gardai are still confident of tracking him down.
"There understandably is a great deal of anger in the town and the sooner this person is caught the better."
Local curate Father Shane Bradley said the calls had caused a great deal of distress in the community.
"I cannot understand how anyone could set out to try and heap further suffering on these families. They have been through enough without this," he said.
"I am surprised how well the families have been able to cope and much of the anger they felt about their sons deaths is now being directed towards the people making these calls."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0633
Published Date: 01-Sep-98
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