MAJOR SECURITY OPERATION IN SOUTH ARMAGH
Major security operation in south Armagh
By David Gordon and Deric Henderson
POLICE investigating the Omagh bombing today arrested a man and a woman in a major security operation in south Armagh.
Around 200 police and troops were involved in the operation in the Jonesboro area in the early hours of this morning.
The suspects were arrested by police officers supported by the Army.
A PSNI spokeswoman today said: "They will be questioned about a series of terrorist offences including the Omagh bombing."
It is understood helicopters were used in today's large-scale operation which involved sealing off part of the Jonesboro area.
The arrests came as relatives of the Omagh victims urged the Republic's Justice Minister, Michael McDowell, to allow Garda witnesses to testify in a civil action they are bringing against men they claim were involved in the August 1998 Real IRA outrage.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan (21) was among the 29 killed in the Real IRA attack, today said: "We have been waiting five years and these arrests have come all of a sudden. We are delighted things are starting to move forward.
"It's early days, but obviously the police felt they had sufficient evidence which was strong enough to arrest these individuals."
Mr Gallagher was not part of the delegation in Dublin for the talks with Mr McDowell.
No one has been directly charged with the Omagh murders, although Dundalk pub owner Colm Murphy is serving 14 years in Portlaoise prison for conspiracy to cause the explosion.
Murphy is one of those named in the relatives' legal action, as is Real IRA founder Michael McKevitt, who was last month jailed for 20 years for directing terrorism. The British Government recently announced it will provide financial aid for the families' civil action.
The families have been running a major fund-raising campaign and it is believed up to �800,000 has been pledged by the Government.
This is understood to be the first time the state has helped to fund a civil prosecution and a Government spokesman said it was because the situation was "totally exceptional".
In 2002, solicitors acting on behalf of the Omagh Victims' Civil Action Group served writs on five people suspected of involvement in the bombing, seeking �10m in damages.
The legal documents were given to Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, and Colm Murphy in Portlaoise prison.
Solicitor Jason McCue visited Dundalk to serve writs on two other people, Seamus Daly and Seamus McKenna.
By David Gordon and Deric Henderson
POLICE investigating the Omagh bombing today arrested a man and a woman in a major security operation in south Armagh.
Around 200 police and troops were involved in the operation in the Jonesboro area in the early hours of this morning.
The suspects were arrested by police officers supported by the Army.
A PSNI spokeswoman today said: "They will be questioned about a series of terrorist offences including the Omagh bombing."
It is understood helicopters were used in today's large-scale operation which involved sealing off part of the Jonesboro area.
The arrests came as relatives of the Omagh victims urged the Republic's Justice Minister, Michael McDowell, to allow Garda witnesses to testify in a civil action they are bringing against men they claim were involved in the August 1998 Real IRA outrage.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan (21) was among the 29 killed in the Real IRA attack, today said: "We have been waiting five years and these arrests have come all of a sudden. We are delighted things are starting to move forward.
"It's early days, but obviously the police felt they had sufficient evidence which was strong enough to arrest these individuals."
Mr Gallagher was not part of the delegation in Dublin for the talks with Mr McDowell.
No one has been directly charged with the Omagh murders, although Dundalk pub owner Colm Murphy is serving 14 years in Portlaoise prison for conspiracy to cause the explosion.
Murphy is one of those named in the relatives' legal action, as is Real IRA founder Michael McKevitt, who was last month jailed for 20 years for directing terrorism. The British Government recently announced it will provide financial aid for the families' civil action.
The families have been running a major fund-raising campaign and it is believed up to �800,000 has been pledged by the Government.
This is understood to be the first time the state has helped to fund a civil prosecution and a Government spokesman said it was because the situation was "totally exceptional".
In 2002, solicitors acting on behalf of the Omagh Victims' Civil Action Group served writs on five people suspected of involvement in the bombing, seeking �10m in damages.
The legal documents were given to Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, and Colm Murphy in Portlaoise prison.
Solicitor Jason McCue visited Dundalk to serve writs on two other people, Seamus Daly and Seamus McKenna.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0913
Published Date: 02-Sep-03
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