BORDER SECURITY STEPPED UP FOLLOWING OMAGH MASSACRE
Border security stepped up following Omagh massacre
By Harry Walsh
Following the bomb blast in Omagh at the weekend and the introduction of new security measures by government, Gardai in Donegal have confirmed that there will be a major increase in security in the county, particularly along the border.
Speaking yesterday (Thursday) Letterkenny based Chief Superintendent Denis Fitzpatrick asked members of the public to be patient and he called on anyone with information that may aid the Gardai in its crackdown against terrorism to contact them immediately.
"What I can confirm is that there will be an increase in security along the border and what people will see is an increase in visible security . I would ask people to cooperate and be patient, there will be some delays, but it is a necessary activity and I'm sure people will understand.
"The people of Donegal have been very helpful in the past. They do not want any activity of this nature in their county and I would ask them if they know of anything to contact the Gardai, discreetly or through the confidential telephone line or come to any one or come to me personally and I can assure them that any information given will be in total confidence," Chief Supt Fitzpatrick said.
Garda investigations into the atrocity are being led from an incident room in Carrickmacross Garda Station. The car used in the bomb attack was stolen in the County Monaghan town eight days ago and its Co Donegal registration plates were replaced with a Northern Ireland number.
The maroon Vauxhall Cavalier, with its deadly 500lb cargo, exploded at 3.10 pm last Saturday killing 28 people and injuring more than 200.
The so called 'Real IRA' has this week admitted responsibility for the atrocity and in the wake of the 'Real IRA' statement that it has 'suspended' all military operations as a direct result of the Omagh bombing. Sinn Fein Vice President Pat Doherty, has urged all other armed groups to stop immediately.
"I know there is a lot of justifiable cynicism about their statement but it is nonetheless the correct and only response which must be accompanied by a complete halt to such actions. I would urge all other armed groups to stop immediately," Mr Doherty said.
Meanwhile, new anti-terrorist laws, which could assist the Garda in imprisoning suspected members of the 'Real IRA' and allow for the confiscation of farms or houses used for bomb making or the storing of weapons, should be in place within the next two weeks.
The Minister of Justice, Mr John O,Donoghue speaking on Wednesday, said new measures would significantly enhance the powers available to thr Garda to tackle groups like the 'Real IRA' which was responsible for the mass murder in Omagh.
The main proposals, drawn up by officials at the Department of Justice, include one to extend the period of detention for questioning terrorist suspects from two days to four days although it still falls short of the provision which allows the detention of suspected drugs traffickers for seven days.
The amending legislation will allow inferences to be drawn from the failure of a person to answer relevant questions, which inferences would be capable of corroborating other evidence including the opinion of a Chief Superintendent that a person is a member of an unlawful organisation.
The legislation will also provide for restrictions on the right to silence for persons charged with an offence under the Offences Against the State Acts or a scheduled offence carrying a maximum period of imprisonment of at least five years.
These restrictions would allow the Court to draw inferences where an accused person fails to mention particular facts to the Gardai during questioning or being charged, where he/she subsequently relies on in his/her defence.
New offences were also outlined. It will be an offence to direct an illegal organisation; possess items for purposes connected with specified firearms or explosive offences; withhold information concerning an offence under the Offences Against the State Act; unlawfully collect information or train persons in the making or use of firearms or explosives.
The Government met on Wednesday to decide on its response to the horrific atrocity perpetrated in Omagh last Saturday.
New anti-terrorist measures, which Minister O'Donoghue described as "draconian", and a firm commitment that the Government would continue to do everything in its power, working closely with the British Government to defeat and suppress "this murderous conspiracy against Ireland" were included in its response.
"We wish at the outset to convey, once again, our heartfelt sympathy to the surviving victims and the relatives and friends of all the victims in Ireland, North and South, and in Spain, and to their communities. We recognise that nothing we say or do can remove the pain or suffering of victims, relatives and friends, but our thoughts are with them at this terrible time," the Government said. As the eight remaining funerals of the victims took place yesterday (Thursday) businesses in Omagh remained at a st standstill. The lower end of Market Street has been cordoned off since the bombing and most shops and other businesses in the rest of the town have been closed as a mark of respect.
No one who has watched the news footage from last weekend's carnage and the subsequent funerals of the victims, both young and old will be untouched by what they have seen.
By Harry Walsh
Following the bomb blast in Omagh at the weekend and the introduction of new security measures by government, Gardai in Donegal have confirmed that there will be a major increase in security in the county, particularly along the border.
Speaking yesterday (Thursday) Letterkenny based Chief Superintendent Denis Fitzpatrick asked members of the public to be patient and he called on anyone with information that may aid the Gardai in its crackdown against terrorism to contact them immediately.
"What I can confirm is that there will be an increase in security along the border and what people will see is an increase in visible security . I would ask people to cooperate and be patient, there will be some delays, but it is a necessary activity and I'm sure people will understand.
"The people of Donegal have been very helpful in the past. They do not want any activity of this nature in their county and I would ask them if they know of anything to contact the Gardai, discreetly or through the confidential telephone line or come to any one or come to me personally and I can assure them that any information given will be in total confidence," Chief Supt Fitzpatrick said.
Garda investigations into the atrocity are being led from an incident room in Carrickmacross Garda Station. The car used in the bomb attack was stolen in the County Monaghan town eight days ago and its Co Donegal registration plates were replaced with a Northern Ireland number.
The maroon Vauxhall Cavalier, with its deadly 500lb cargo, exploded at 3.10 pm last Saturday killing 28 people and injuring more than 200.
The so called 'Real IRA' has this week admitted responsibility for the atrocity and in the wake of the 'Real IRA' statement that it has 'suspended' all military operations as a direct result of the Omagh bombing. Sinn Fein Vice President Pat Doherty, has urged all other armed groups to stop immediately.
"I know there is a lot of justifiable cynicism about their statement but it is nonetheless the correct and only response which must be accompanied by a complete halt to such actions. I would urge all other armed groups to stop immediately," Mr Doherty said.
Meanwhile, new anti-terrorist laws, which could assist the Garda in imprisoning suspected members of the 'Real IRA' and allow for the confiscation of farms or houses used for bomb making or the storing of weapons, should be in place within the next two weeks.
The Minister of Justice, Mr John O,Donoghue speaking on Wednesday, said new measures would significantly enhance the powers available to thr Garda to tackle groups like the 'Real IRA' which was responsible for the mass murder in Omagh.
The main proposals, drawn up by officials at the Department of Justice, include one to extend the period of detention for questioning terrorist suspects from two days to four days although it still falls short of the provision which allows the detention of suspected drugs traffickers for seven days.
The amending legislation will allow inferences to be drawn from the failure of a person to answer relevant questions, which inferences would be capable of corroborating other evidence including the opinion of a Chief Superintendent that a person is a member of an unlawful organisation.
The legislation will also provide for restrictions on the right to silence for persons charged with an offence under the Offences Against the State Acts or a scheduled offence carrying a maximum period of imprisonment of at least five years.
These restrictions would allow the Court to draw inferences where an accused person fails to mention particular facts to the Gardai during questioning or being charged, where he/she subsequently relies on in his/her defence.
New offences were also outlined. It will be an offence to direct an illegal organisation; possess items for purposes connected with specified firearms or explosive offences; withhold information concerning an offence under the Offences Against the State Act; unlawfully collect information or train persons in the making or use of firearms or explosives.
The Government met on Wednesday to decide on its response to the horrific atrocity perpetrated in Omagh last Saturday.
New anti-terrorist measures, which Minister O'Donoghue described as "draconian", and a firm commitment that the Government would continue to do everything in its power, working closely with the British Government to defeat and suppress "this murderous conspiracy against Ireland" were included in its response.
"We wish at the outset to convey, once again, our heartfelt sympathy to the surviving victims and the relatives and friends of all the victims in Ireland, North and South, and in Spain, and to their communities. We recognise that nothing we say or do can remove the pain or suffering of victims, relatives and friends, but our thoughts are with them at this terrible time," the Government said. As the eight remaining funerals of the victims took place yesterday (Thursday) businesses in Omagh remained at a st standstill. The lower end of Market Street has been cordoned off since the bombing and most shops and other businesses in the rest of the town have been closed as a mark of respect.
No one who has watched the news footage from last weekend's carnage and the subsequent funerals of the victims, both young and old will be untouched by what they have seen.
Further Information
Publisher: DERRY PEOPLE DONEGAL NEWS
Ref: DPDN/026
Published Date: 21-Aug-98
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