WHAT THE FAMILIES SAY
WHAT THE FAMILIES SAY
Relatives vow to continue fighting
THE families of the Omagh Victims' Legal Action Group last night vowed to continue fighting for justice in the light of the leaked Police Ombudsman's report. The families are taking out a High Court civil action against the men who they believe are responsible for the 1998 Real IRA bombing. In a joint statement, the group said they were "disturbed" by reports based on leaked extracts from Nuala O'Loan's investigation into Special Branch handling of the atrocity. The issues that have been raised are extremely serious."
"We feel that they are so serious that we will refrain from full comment until such time as we have viewed and considered the completed report and its findings. We have been patient for over three years waiting for justice.
"Whatever the findings, we believe it should not distract from, or absolve, the murderous Real IRA who admitted responsibility for the bomb that murdered our loved ones. "At present, we ask the media to focus on the efforts to amend the Anti-terrorism Bill (to prevent the Real IRA from receiving funds from overseas) and, of course, our civil action against the murderers. Our quest for justice will go on."
Stanley McCombe, whose wife Ann was among the dead, said: "I have no grievance against the RUC, but I want the truth and I don't care who it hurts." Solicitor Des Doherty, who acts on behalf of Lawrence Rush whose wife Libby died in the explosion, said: "This case has parallels with the Dublin-Monaghan bombings of 1974 when the same accusations arose and certain allegations made. "He (Mr Rush) genuinely feels the forces within the state - security service, special branch -are protecting informers. "Victor Barker, whose 12-year-old son James also died, said: "I don't blame the security forces for my son's murder, but I'm disgusted that they didn't act".
"They didn't plant the bomb, but this is going to get used by the Real IRA to claim police knew about it and were therefore responsible."
Relatives vow to continue fighting
THE families of the Omagh Victims' Legal Action Group last night vowed to continue fighting for justice in the light of the leaked Police Ombudsman's report. The families are taking out a High Court civil action against the men who they believe are responsible for the 1998 Real IRA bombing. In a joint statement, the group said they were "disturbed" by reports based on leaked extracts from Nuala O'Loan's investigation into Special Branch handling of the atrocity. The issues that have been raised are extremely serious."
"We feel that they are so serious that we will refrain from full comment until such time as we have viewed and considered the completed report and its findings. We have been patient for over three years waiting for justice.
"Whatever the findings, we believe it should not distract from, or absolve, the murderous Real IRA who admitted responsibility for the bomb that murdered our loved ones. "At present, we ask the media to focus on the efforts to amend the Anti-terrorism Bill (to prevent the Real IRA from receiving funds from overseas) and, of course, our civil action against the murderers. Our quest for justice will go on."
Stanley McCombe, whose wife Ann was among the dead, said: "I have no grievance against the RUC, but I want the truth and I don't care who it hurts." Solicitor Des Doherty, who acts on behalf of Lawrence Rush whose wife Libby died in the explosion, said: "This case has parallels with the Dublin-Monaghan bombings of 1974 when the same accusations arose and certain allegations made. "He (Mr Rush) genuinely feels the forces within the state - security service, special branch -are protecting informers. "Victor Barker, whose 12-year-old son James also died, said: "I don't blame the security forces for my son's murder, but I'm disgusted that they didn't act".
"They didn't plant the bomb, but this is going to get used by the Real IRA to claim police knew about it and were therefore responsible."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0801
Published Date: 08-Dec-01
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