WHAT THE REPORT SAID
WHAT THE REPORT SAID
By Mary Fitzgerald
THE alleged failure by Special Branch to inform senior commanders of a warning of an attack in Omagh on the day the Real IRA set off the bomb which caused widespread carnage is likely to be one of the most damning disclosures contained in the Police Ombudsman's report.
According to the report into the then RUC investigation of the atrocity, an anonymous tip-off was delivered 11 days before the attack in August 1998 which left 29 people dead and 200 injured, but the information was not passed on.
The report will be seriously critical of the role of Special Branch and also confirm significant shortcomings in the police Investigation into the worst single outrage in the 30 years of the Troubles. However, a number of flaws in the investigation have also been identified in a review carried out by RUC officers which was examined by the Ombudsman as part of preparations for her report.
It has been claimed there was:
Confusion at leadership level
Inadequate resources
Inexperienced staff
Insufficient exchange of information with police in the Republic, who carried out their own probe because of the cross-border connection with the bomb team.
By Mary Fitzgerald
THE alleged failure by Special Branch to inform senior commanders of a warning of an attack in Omagh on the day the Real IRA set off the bomb which caused widespread carnage is likely to be one of the most damning disclosures contained in the Police Ombudsman's report.
According to the report into the then RUC investigation of the atrocity, an anonymous tip-off was delivered 11 days before the attack in August 1998 which left 29 people dead and 200 injured, but the information was not passed on.
The report will be seriously critical of the role of Special Branch and also confirm significant shortcomings in the police Investigation into the worst single outrage in the 30 years of the Troubles. However, a number of flaws in the investigation have also been identified in a review carried out by RUC officers which was examined by the Ombudsman as part of preparations for her report.
It has been claimed there was:
Confusion at leadership level
Inadequate resources
Inexperienced staff
Insufficient exchange of information with police in the Republic, who carried out their own probe because of the cross-border connection with the bomb team.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0793
Published Date: 07-Dec-01
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