FEUDING PAIR TO MEET THE BOARD
THE OMAGH REPORT
Feuding pair to meet the board
By Mary Fitzgerald and Chris Thornton
CHIEF Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan and Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan are now expected to bring their battle over the Omagh report before the Policing Board next month. The board is likely to ask the feuding policing chiefs for a meeting early in the New Year to discuss their huge differences over police handling of the Omagh bombing. The chairman of the board vowed his members would give priority to consideration of the Ombudsman's report, which severely criticised RUC practices.
Professor Desmond Rea said the board wanted to adopt "a full and considered approach" to the report.
As a result it would be conducting an initial discussion on its findings at a meeting of the board's corporate policy committee next week, with the entire board giving its views at a special meeting in the New Year.
"We are fully aware of the gravity of this matter and the emotion surrounding the subject concerned," he said.
"We clearly need time to consider in detail the contents and findings of this report.
"To do otherwise would, I feel, benefit none of the parties involved - especially the relatives of the victims of the Omagh atrocity and indeed the Police Service." Prof Rea also expressed concern at the leaking of the report.
He claimed this had been "detrimental to the overall process".
The Policing Board chairman urged all organisations which had copies to "conduct exhaustive inquiries into how this information became public". SDLP Policing Board member Joe Byrne claimed the ombudsman's report was a "withering indictment" of the RUC.
The West Tyrone MLA argued: "Its content and conclusions must be acted on and be seen to be acted upon in a fundamental way. Each of her recommendations must be implemented in full.
"This is what all those who suffered and continue to suffer from the Omagh bombing require. The most serious questions have arisen about the role and conduct of Special Branch and senior officers, including the Chief Constable."
Feuding pair to meet the board
By Mary Fitzgerald and Chris Thornton
CHIEF Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan and Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan are now expected to bring their battle over the Omagh report before the Policing Board next month. The board is likely to ask the feuding policing chiefs for a meeting early in the New Year to discuss their huge differences over police handling of the Omagh bombing. The chairman of the board vowed his members would give priority to consideration of the Ombudsman's report, which severely criticised RUC practices.
Professor Desmond Rea said the board wanted to adopt "a full and considered approach" to the report.
As a result it would be conducting an initial discussion on its findings at a meeting of the board's corporate policy committee next week, with the entire board giving its views at a special meeting in the New Year.
"We are fully aware of the gravity of this matter and the emotion surrounding the subject concerned," he said.
"We clearly need time to consider in detail the contents and findings of this report.
"To do otherwise would, I feel, benefit none of the parties involved - especially the relatives of the victims of the Omagh atrocity and indeed the Police Service." Prof Rea also expressed concern at the leaking of the report.
He claimed this had been "detrimental to the overall process".
The Policing Board chairman urged all organisations which had copies to "conduct exhaustive inquiries into how this information became public". SDLP Policing Board member Joe Byrne claimed the ombudsman's report was a "withering indictment" of the RUC.
The West Tyrone MLA argued: "Its content and conclusions must be acted on and be seen to be acted upon in a fundamental way. Each of her recommendations must be implemented in full.
"This is what all those who suffered and continue to suffer from the Omagh bombing require. The most serious questions have arisen about the role and conduct of Special Branch and senior officers, including the Chief Constable."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0804
Published Date: 13-Dec-01
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