AHERN REGRET FOR UPSET FAMILIES
Ahern 'regret' for upset to families
BY FIONNAN SHEAHAN
IN DUBLIN
THE Republic's Justice Minister Dermot Ahern yesterday said he "regrets" his representations for a Real IRA chief if it upset relatives of the Omagh bomb victims.
Mr Ahern attempted to play down the substantial embarrassment over his letters on behalf of Michael McKevitt by claiming he was only passing on an email for a constituent.
But the opposition said Mr Ahern's actions were "ill-judged".
Mr Ahern made the inquiries to his predecessor in the Department of Justice on behalf of the head of the dissident group
responsible for the Omagh bombing almost five years ago. At the time, Mr Ahern was the Communications Minister.
But representatives of the Omagh Victims Group are said to be angered.
The minister does not feel he has to apologise but does regret if he upset families of Real IRA victims, a spokesman said.
BY FIONNAN SHEAHAN
IN DUBLIN
THE Republic's Justice Minister Dermot Ahern yesterday said he "regrets" his representations for a Real IRA chief if it upset relatives of the Omagh bomb victims.
Mr Ahern attempted to play down the substantial embarrassment over his letters on behalf of Michael McKevitt by claiming he was only passing on an email for a constituent.
But the opposition said Mr Ahern's actions were "ill-judged".
Mr Ahern made the inquiries to his predecessor in the Department of Justice on behalf of the head of the dissident group
responsible for the Omagh bombing almost five years ago. At the time, Mr Ahern was the Communications Minister.
But representatives of the Omagh Victims Group are said to be angered.
The minister does not feel he has to apologise but does regret if he upset families of Real IRA victims, a spokesman said.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/1129
Published Date: 19-Jan-09
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