MI5 'KEPT POLICE IN DARK ON OMAGH'
MI5 'kept police in dark on Omagh'
By Deric Henderson and Dan McGinn
Key intelligence 'not shared with security forces'
MI5 withheld vital anti-terrorism intelligence just months before the Omagh bomb atrocity, it was revealed today.
Although the agency helped thwart an attack planned on the Tyrone town, or Londonderry, at the time of the signing of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, it kept police in the dark about the bomb plot, according to authoritative security sources.
Even after the outrage which killed 29 people in August 1998, MI5 failed to inform Special Branch of the threat, and details have only just emerged as part of an investigation into an FBI agent who infiltrated the Real IRA, which carried out the attack.
Omagh relatives said today they were astonished, and with MI5 preparing to take control of national security intelligence in Ulster, one MP called on Downing Street to abandon its plan.
SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, said: "Allowing MI5 to have a lead role in intelligence would be like appointing Herod as children's commissioner."
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was among those killed, said: "At best, this is criminal negligence. At worst, it's assisting a terrorist murder plot."
Three dissident republicans were arrested and later released without charge at the time of the foiled April 1998 bomb plot.
It followed an MI5 tip-off involving American FBI agent David Rupert, who was working undercover in the Real IRA, warning that Omagh or Derry - but most likely Omagh - was to be hit by a dissident republican unit.
The car containing a mortar bomb was never found, although it is believed the device may have been the same as one used in an attack on security forces in Belleek three weeks later.
At the time, the Royal Ulster Constabulary was aware that a planned terrorist operation had been disrupted, but according to authoritative security sources today, police found no trace on their records of any MI5 intelligence that Omagh, or Derry, was going to be a target.
Details emerged after inquiries in the US where detectives investigating Omagh spoke with Rupert and examined emails exchanged with his handlers.
It was Rupert's evidence in 2003 which helped convict the Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt, who was jailed for 20 years for directing terrorism.
Gardai are not being blamed for holding back on information linked to the failed bomb plot before Omagh was attacked. But there is serious unease among security chiefs about MI5's handling of the affair.
It is understood the agency also failed to inform two senior UK police officers called in to quality-assure a new investigation after the initial one came in for fierce criticism by Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan.
Mr Durkan said: "This latest revelation underscores the case that MI5 cannot be trusted to work in the true public interest, or relied upon to co-operate with other authorities."
By Deric Henderson and Dan McGinn
Key intelligence 'not shared with security forces'
MI5 withheld vital anti-terrorism intelligence just months before the Omagh bomb atrocity, it was revealed today.
Although the agency helped thwart an attack planned on the Tyrone town, or Londonderry, at the time of the signing of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, it kept police in the dark about the bomb plot, according to authoritative security sources.
Even after the outrage which killed 29 people in August 1998, MI5 failed to inform Special Branch of the threat, and details have only just emerged as part of an investigation into an FBI agent who infiltrated the Real IRA, which carried out the attack.
Omagh relatives said today they were astonished, and with MI5 preparing to take control of national security intelligence in Ulster, one MP called on Downing Street to abandon its plan.
SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, said: "Allowing MI5 to have a lead role in intelligence would be like appointing Herod as children's commissioner."
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was among those killed, said: "At best, this is criminal negligence. At worst, it's assisting a terrorist murder plot."
Three dissident republicans were arrested and later released without charge at the time of the foiled April 1998 bomb plot.
It followed an MI5 tip-off involving American FBI agent David Rupert, who was working undercover in the Real IRA, warning that Omagh or Derry - but most likely Omagh - was to be hit by a dissident republican unit.
The car containing a mortar bomb was never found, although it is believed the device may have been the same as one used in an attack on security forces in Belleek three weeks later.
At the time, the Royal Ulster Constabulary was aware that a planned terrorist operation had been disrupted, but according to authoritative security sources today, police found no trace on their records of any MI5 intelligence that Omagh, or Derry, was going to be a target.
Details emerged after inquiries in the US where detectives investigating Omagh spoke with Rupert and examined emails exchanged with his handlers.
It was Rupert's evidence in 2003 which helped convict the Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt, who was jailed for 20 years for directing terrorism.
Gardai are not being blamed for holding back on information linked to the failed bomb plot before Omagh was attacked. But there is serious unease among security chiefs about MI5's handling of the affair.
It is understood the agency also failed to inform two senior UK police officers called in to quality-assure a new investigation after the initial one came in for fierce criticism by Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan.
Mr Durkan said: "This latest revelation underscores the case that MI5 cannot be trusted to work in the true public interest, or relied upon to co-operate with other authorities."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0995
Published Date: 24-Feb-06
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