MACKEY OPTS OUT OF COUNCIL ELECTIONS
Mackey opts out of council elections
By Staff Reporter
OMAGH 32 County Sovereignty Committee member Francis Mackey today announced he would not be standing for re-election to the District Council. Originally elected to the council as a Sinn Fein representative, Mr Mackey parted company with the party in the run up to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. The chairman of the 32 County Sovereign Committee, largely believed to be the political wing of the Real IRA, said his decision not to stand would give him more time to dedicate to the party.
Mr Mackey and his son were both questioned but released without charge following the Real IRA bombing of Omagh which resulted in the deaths of 29 innocent people in August 1998. He rejected calls for his resignation from Omagh District Council in the wake of the bomb, insisting he had a mandate. But in a statement detailing his resignation which was released earlier this week, Mr Mackey commented: "I have represented the people of Omagh for the past 16 years and I take this opportunity to say a very sincere thank you to the people of Omagh Town for their support. "The Omagh bomb tragedy of August 1998 was obviously a traumatic time and on reflection of that time, I pay tribute to the people of Omagh, the bereaved and injured for the dignity they displayed during and after that terrible tragedy.
"I must admit there is a part of me saying I will miss it, however, things move on," he added.
Earlier this year Mr Mackey gave a graveside oration at the funeral of murdered Real IRA commander, Jo Joe O'Connor.
By Staff Reporter
OMAGH 32 County Sovereignty Committee member Francis Mackey today announced he would not be standing for re-election to the District Council. Originally elected to the council as a Sinn Fein representative, Mr Mackey parted company with the party in the run up to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. The chairman of the 32 County Sovereign Committee, largely believed to be the political wing of the Real IRA, said his decision not to stand would give him more time to dedicate to the party.
Mr Mackey and his son were both questioned but released without charge following the Real IRA bombing of Omagh which resulted in the deaths of 29 innocent people in August 1998. He rejected calls for his resignation from Omagh District Council in the wake of the bomb, insisting he had a mandate. But in a statement detailing his resignation which was released earlier this week, Mr Mackey commented: "I have represented the people of Omagh for the past 16 years and I take this opportunity to say a very sincere thank you to the people of Omagh Town for their support. "The Omagh bomb tragedy of August 1998 was obviously a traumatic time and on reflection of that time, I pay tribute to the people of Omagh, the bereaved and injured for the dignity they displayed during and after that terrible tragedy.
"I must admit there is a part of me saying I will miss it, however, things move on," he added.
Earlier this year Mr Mackey gave a graveside oration at the funeral of murdered Real IRA commander, Jo Joe O'Connor.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0776
Published Date: 10-May-01
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