OMAGH RELATIVES FEARFUL OF NEW DISSIDENT ATROCITY
Omagh relatives fearful of new dissident atrocity as republican threat highlighted
OMAGH bomb victims have said that the Real IRA is "capable of another Omagh" as dissident terrorist activity is revealed to be at new record levels.
Speaking three weeks before the 10th anniversary of the Omagh bomb Carol Radford, who lost her 16-year-old brother in 1998, said: "There will be another big strike from the Real IRA. They are definitely capable of another Omagh and they will do it some time.
"They are a growing movement. They are stronger than they have ever been before."
Speaking with Godfrey Wilson, whose 15-year-old daughter Lorraine was killed in the bomb, Carol added: "Unless the movement accepts a huge bribe from the British and Irish governments, there will be another massacre."
Godfrey Wilson (52) said: "If the Real IRA was capable of Omagh 10 years ago, it is capable of a lot more now.
"What is there to stop them doing it again? Absolutely nothing. They've got away with it once already.
"They are a ruthless killing machine and their blood's only in them for the killing. They'll do it again."
The pair spoke out as security services revealed they come across more suspicious activity in the UK from dissident republicans than from Islamic fundamentalists.
MI5 has said 60% of its 'electronic intercepts' come from republican terrorist groups with the remainder largely attributed Arab extremists.
PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde also confirmed the dissident threat is the highest since he took office.
He said: "Significant efforts are ongoing to tackle the threat. The aim, where possible, is to arrest those involved, charge them and bring them to court.
"It is as high as it ever has been in my time in the service.
"However, to date, more than 30 people have been arrested this year."
Ms Radford (31) also revealed how her family has been harassed for bringing the civil action against five alleged dissident terrorists.
And Carol, who is from six families pursuing the compensation claim at the High Court in Belfast, also said she received menacing late night 'silent' calls during her attendance at the Sean Hoey trial.
Mr Hoey (38), from Jonesborough, south Armagh, was cleared of 58 charges in connection with the planting of the Omagh bomb.
Carol said: "I got silent phone calls the whole time from when the Hoey trial began until it finished. It was always an untraceable, out of area number.
"I've had slogans painted on the outside of my house. My sister has also received intimidation which forced her out of work. My mother has had tricolour flags thrown on her roof. We are being put through hell and it is because my family is part of the civil action."
OMAGH bomb victims have said that the Real IRA is "capable of another Omagh" as dissident terrorist activity is revealed to be at new record levels.
Speaking three weeks before the 10th anniversary of the Omagh bomb Carol Radford, who lost her 16-year-old brother in 1998, said: "There will be another big strike from the Real IRA. They are definitely capable of another Omagh and they will do it some time.
"They are a growing movement. They are stronger than they have ever been before."
Speaking with Godfrey Wilson, whose 15-year-old daughter Lorraine was killed in the bomb, Carol added: "Unless the movement accepts a huge bribe from the British and Irish governments, there will be another massacre."
Godfrey Wilson (52) said: "If the Real IRA was capable of Omagh 10 years ago, it is capable of a lot more now.
"What is there to stop them doing it again? Absolutely nothing. They've got away with it once already.
"They are a ruthless killing machine and their blood's only in them for the killing. They'll do it again."
The pair spoke out as security services revealed they come across more suspicious activity in the UK from dissident republicans than from Islamic fundamentalists.
MI5 has said 60% of its 'electronic intercepts' come from republican terrorist groups with the remainder largely attributed Arab extremists.
PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde also confirmed the dissident threat is the highest since he took office.
He said: "Significant efforts are ongoing to tackle the threat. The aim, where possible, is to arrest those involved, charge them and bring them to court.
"It is as high as it ever has been in my time in the service.
"However, to date, more than 30 people have been arrested this year."
Ms Radford (31) also revealed how her family has been harassed for bringing the civil action against five alleged dissident terrorists.
And Carol, who is from six families pursuing the compensation claim at the High Court in Belfast, also said she received menacing late night 'silent' calls during her attendance at the Sean Hoey trial.
Mr Hoey (38), from Jonesborough, south Armagh, was cleared of 58 charges in connection with the planting of the Omagh bomb.
Carol said: "I got silent phone calls the whole time from when the Hoey trial began until it finished. It was always an untraceable, out of area number.
"I've had slogans painted on the outside of my house. My sister has also received intimidation which forced her out of work. My mother has had tricolour flags thrown on her roof. We are being put through hell and it is because my family is part of the civil action."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT10An/01
Published Date: 29-Jul-08
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