CLAIMS FUEL CALLS FOR OMAGH INQUIRY
Claims fuel calls for Omagh inquiry
THE Government today faced new demands for a full public inquiry into the Omagh Bomb outrage after it emerged that two senior police officers had reportedly challenged a report into the investigation by their former chief constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan.
Affadavits prepared by Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan and ACC Sam Kincaid have been lodged at the High Court in Belfast.
According to a BBC report, the two officers have also challenged a statement by a former assistant chief constable, Raymond White, who was head of Special Branch and CID at the time of the outrage.
This is expected to help the position of Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan, whose critical report into the investigation is being contested in the High Court by the Police Association of Northern Ireland, which represents all ranks including the Chief Constable.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was among those killed in the bombing, has called for a judicial inquiry into the affair.
He said: "The people at the top (the police) are breaking ranks and who knows where this will end up."
A spokesman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: "Mr McQuillan and Mr Kincaid have made affadavits in a personal capacity at the request of the Ombudsman. "It would be inappropriate for the Police Service of Northern Ireland to make any further comment because we are not a party to the judicial proceedings."
THE Government today faced new demands for a full public inquiry into the Omagh Bomb outrage after it emerged that two senior police officers had reportedly challenged a report into the investigation by their former chief constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan.
Affadavits prepared by Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan and ACC Sam Kincaid have been lodged at the High Court in Belfast.
According to a BBC report, the two officers have also challenged a statement by a former assistant chief constable, Raymond White, who was head of Special Branch and CID at the time of the outrage.
This is expected to help the position of Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan, whose critical report into the investigation is being contested in the High Court by the Police Association of Northern Ireland, which represents all ranks including the Chief Constable.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was among those killed in the bombing, has called for a judicial inquiry into the affair.
He said: "The people at the top (the police) are breaking ranks and who knows where this will end up."
A spokesman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: "Mr McQuillan and Mr Kincaid have made affadavits in a personal capacity at the request of the Ombudsman. "It would be inappropriate for the Police Service of Northern Ireland to make any further comment because we are not a party to the judicial proceedings."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0858
Published Date: 22-May-02
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