TRIMBLE PRAISES OMAGH FAMILIES IN PUB PROTEST
Trimble praises Omagh families in pub protest
By Noel McAdam
Political Correspondent
'32 County' members challenged
FIRST Minister David Trimble today praised relatives of the Omagh bomb victims for their courage in facing members of the Real IRA-linked 32 County Sovereignty Committee. And he said the Irish Government's decision to support calls for the United States to designate the dissident republican group as a terrorist organistion was an important development.
The Ulster Unionist leader's statement came as security sources said they believed the Real IRA intends to step up its terror campaign on the mainland in the run-up to Christmas. Mr Trimble commended the strength of relatives of those killed and injured involved in the tireless campaign against against the so-called political wing of the Real IRA. Mr Trimble said: "The decision of the relatives to travel to London and directly challenge the leadership of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee, who were meeting with the representatives of another US-designated Cuban organisation, was another courageous act. "The relatives of the dead and injured front Omagh are an inspiration to all of us who want to see an end to terrorist violence in these islands. "Their fight to see the perpetrators of the bombing brought to justice and to stop their political wing growing deserves tie support of everyone."
Mr Trimble said the pressure from the relatives had influenced the Irish Government's decision to support calls for the designation of the Real IRA by the authorities in America. There were emotional scenes inside the London pub where the meeting was taking place when the relatives recognised one of those taking part as Omagh councillor Francis Mackey, who is chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement.
Donna-Maria Barker, whose son James was one of the 29 murdered in the Real IRA massacre, said: "These people killed my beautiful boy" and the pub in Euston fell silent.
Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Adrian was killed, said the 32 County organisation had an agenda to keep the bodybag in Irish politics, and there was no accountability for the money being raised. Victor Barker directly challenged Mr Mackey, who said he was looking for a peaceful alternative, and offered to meet victims back in Omagh "to discuss my own political analysis".
He did not reply when challenged to condemn the bomb but when it was suggested his silence indicated support, said: "That is not the reality."
By Noel McAdam
Political Correspondent
'32 County' members challenged
FIRST Minister David Trimble today praised relatives of the Omagh bomb victims for their courage in facing members of the Real IRA-linked 32 County Sovereignty Committee. And he said the Irish Government's decision to support calls for the United States to designate the dissident republican group as a terrorist organistion was an important development.
The Ulster Unionist leader's statement came as security sources said they believed the Real IRA intends to step up its terror campaign on the mainland in the run-up to Christmas. Mr Trimble commended the strength of relatives of those killed and injured involved in the tireless campaign against against the so-called political wing of the Real IRA. Mr Trimble said: "The decision of the relatives to travel to London and directly challenge the leadership of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee, who were meeting with the representatives of another US-designated Cuban organisation, was another courageous act. "The relatives of the dead and injured front Omagh are an inspiration to all of us who want to see an end to terrorist violence in these islands. "Their fight to see the perpetrators of the bombing brought to justice and to stop their political wing growing deserves tie support of everyone."
Mr Trimble said the pressure from the relatives had influenced the Irish Government's decision to support calls for the designation of the Real IRA by the authorities in America. There were emotional scenes inside the London pub where the meeting was taking place when the relatives recognised one of those taking part as Omagh councillor Francis Mackey, who is chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement.
Donna-Maria Barker, whose son James was one of the 29 murdered in the Real IRA massacre, said: "These people killed my beautiful boy" and the pub in Euston fell silent.
Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Adrian was killed, said the 32 County organisation had an agenda to keep the bodybag in Irish politics, and there was no accountability for the money being raised. Victor Barker directly challenged Mr Mackey, who said he was looking for a peaceful alternative, and offered to meet victims back in Omagh "to discuss my own political analysis".
He did not reply when challenged to condemn the bomb but when it was suggested his silence indicated support, said: "That is not the reality."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0780
Published Date: 27-Nov-00
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