OMAGH RELATIVES ARE MAIN CONCERN
Omagh relatives are main concern
FLANAGAN RESPONSE: A detailed document that must be carefully weighed up
Until the details are fully assessed, it is impossible to comment fully on the report of the Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, in reply to the criticism of the Omagh investigation by the Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan. His lengthy statement was specifically withheld from the Press until after his meeting with the relatives of the victims.
Nevertheless it appears that once again parts or all of his response, which are of great importance, not only to the victims but to the public at large, were leaked. People have been asked to make a judgment between the conflicting views about the conduct of the Omagh investigation without having the full facts and the arguments in front of them.
Sir Ronnie's statement was presented to the Policing Board yesterday, so that its members were able to be interviewed about its contents before anyone else had seen it. Politicians on the board took up differing positions, naturally, but the public has, so far, been unable to reach any conclusion about what was being said. It is a matter of opinion whose cause any such leaks would benefit, but it is certainly not the way an investigation of such a sensitive and controversial issue should be handled.
The feelings of the Omagh relatives should be uppermost, and yet they have had to endure a lengthy investigation by the RUC, followed by an internal review and then the Ombudsman's inquiry, after reports that warnings about a terrorist attack had been overlooked.
Concerned, as they were, by the Ombudsman's criticism of the Chief Constable, they might have expected to be given time to study and consider his rebuttal, but this was not the case, because of the leak.
The Ombudsman's report was leaked before its official release, and Mrs O'Loan has emphatically denied that her office was responsible. Now the Chief Constable's statement appears to have received similar treatment, even though the most stringent precautions should have been taken to avoid a repetition.
The public is entitled to be disappointed and dismayed by the way the Omagh tragedy has been handled. Mistakes have been admitted in the investigation, complicated because it involved the Garda, but it is uncertain if all of them have been rectified.
The consolation is that one man, Colm Murphy, has been convicted, and the bombers themselves must be living in fear. Damage has been done to both the Chief Constable and the Ombudsman's office, at a critical time, but it can be repaired with understanding, openness and, above all, honesty.
FLANAGAN RESPONSE: A detailed document that must be carefully weighed up
Until the details are fully assessed, it is impossible to comment fully on the report of the Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, in reply to the criticism of the Omagh investigation by the Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan. His lengthy statement was specifically withheld from the Press until after his meeting with the relatives of the victims.
Nevertheless it appears that once again parts or all of his response, which are of great importance, not only to the victims but to the public at large, were leaked. People have been asked to make a judgment between the conflicting views about the conduct of the Omagh investigation without having the full facts and the arguments in front of them.
Sir Ronnie's statement was presented to the Policing Board yesterday, so that its members were able to be interviewed about its contents before anyone else had seen it. Politicians on the board took up differing positions, naturally, but the public has, so far, been unable to reach any conclusion about what was being said. It is a matter of opinion whose cause any such leaks would benefit, but it is certainly not the way an investigation of such a sensitive and controversial issue should be handled.
The feelings of the Omagh relatives should be uppermost, and yet they have had to endure a lengthy investigation by the RUC, followed by an internal review and then the Ombudsman's inquiry, after reports that warnings about a terrorist attack had been overlooked.
Concerned, as they were, by the Ombudsman's criticism of the Chief Constable, they might have expected to be given time to study and consider his rebuttal, but this was not the case, because of the leak.
The Ombudsman's report was leaked before its official release, and Mrs O'Loan has emphatically denied that her office was responsible. Now the Chief Constable's statement appears to have received similar treatment, even though the most stringent precautions should have been taken to avoid a repetition.
The public is entitled to be disappointed and dismayed by the way the Omagh tragedy has been handled. Mistakes have been admitted in the investigation, complicated because it involved the Garda, but it is uncertain if all of them have been rectified.
The consolation is that one man, Colm Murphy, has been convicted, and the bombers themselves must be living in fear. Damage has been done to both the Chief Constable and the Ombudsman's office, at a critical time, but it can be repaired with understanding, openness and, above all, honesty.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0836
Published Date: 24-Jan-02
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