OMAGH ADVERTS WILL TEST POLICING PLEDGE
Omagh adverts will test policing pledge
BY ALAN ERWIN
DETECTIVES hunting the Omagh bombers are to put republican support for the PSNI to the test with a series of newspaper advertisements urging full co-operation.
With investigators seeking information on the Vauxhall Cavalier used by Real IRA terrorists to kill 29 people in August 1998, the new appeal is directed at those living on either side of the Irish border where the car travelled through.
Only one man, south Armagh electrician Sean Hoey (37) has been charged with the Omagh atrocity. He is currently awaiting the judge's verdict after standing trial in Belfast for the murders.
Following Sinn Fein's historic declaration in January that it will embrace policing arrangements in Northern Ireland, the detective in charge of the bomb inquiry is attempting to break down a wall of silence which has shielded other dissident republicans involved.
Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter has decided to place a series of adverts in newspapers in Northern Ireland and the Republic this week, asking people in border areas to think again about coming forward with information.
Mr Baxter said: "It's eight and a half years since the Omagh bombing but the investigation is continuing.
"In the light of recent changes in attitude from certain groups towards policing, I think it is important to ask everyone to think again about coming forward with information about what happened.
"I would encourage public representatives to use their influence in the communities which they represent, on both sides of the border, to ask people to come forward."
He added: "We are particularly interested in the movements of the bomb car in the days leading up to the atrocity.
"We want to know about the movements of the red/maroon Vauxhall Cavalier between Thursday, August 13, 1998 and Saturday, August 15, 1998, the day of the explosion which killed 29 innocent people."
Anyone with information about the movements of this car during this period is asked to contact the incident room at Omagh police station, telephone 028 8225 6682
(048 8225 6682 from the Republic)
BY ALAN ERWIN
DETECTIVES hunting the Omagh bombers are to put republican support for the PSNI to the test with a series of newspaper advertisements urging full co-operation.
With investigators seeking information on the Vauxhall Cavalier used by Real IRA terrorists to kill 29 people in August 1998, the new appeal is directed at those living on either side of the Irish border where the car travelled through.
Only one man, south Armagh electrician Sean Hoey (37) has been charged with the Omagh atrocity. He is currently awaiting the judge's verdict after standing trial in Belfast for the murders.
Following Sinn Fein's historic declaration in January that it will embrace policing arrangements in Northern Ireland, the detective in charge of the bomb inquiry is attempting to break down a wall of silence which has shielded other dissident republicans involved.
Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter has decided to place a series of adverts in newspapers in Northern Ireland and the Republic this week, asking people in border areas to think again about coming forward with information.
Mr Baxter said: "It's eight and a half years since the Omagh bombing but the investigation is continuing.
"In the light of recent changes in attitude from certain groups towards policing, I think it is important to ask everyone to think again about coming forward with information about what happened.
"I would encourage public representatives to use their influence in the communities which they represent, on both sides of the border, to ask people to come forward."
He added: "We are particularly interested in the movements of the bomb car in the days leading up to the atrocity.
"We want to know about the movements of the red/maroon Vauxhall Cavalier between Thursday, August 13, 1998 and Saturday, August 15, 1998, the day of the explosion which killed 29 innocent people."
Anyone with information about the movements of this car during this period is asked to contact the incident room at Omagh police station, telephone 028 8225 6682
(048 8225 6682 from the Republic)
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/1032
Published Date: 12-Mar-07
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