O'MALLEY WANTS LAW PERMANENT
O'Malley wants law permanent
FORMER Progressive Democrats leader Des O'Malley said he hoped the new legislation would become a permanent feature to prevent any repetitions of the Omagh atrocity.
The former Justice Minister said there was no need to apologise for having a series of Offences Against the State Acts.
"They are there since 1939 and succeeded other acts which were there from the early 1920s. They are there for very valid reasons. The State could not protect itself or its institutions if they were not there."
Labour's Justice spokesman Deputy Pat Upton said the Labour party could not ignore the legitimate fears of a possible erosion of civil liberties by innovative parts of the legislation.
However, neither could they renege on their responsibilities to ensure that all possible measures were taken to apprehend those responsible for the carnage at Omagh and to ensure that they were not afforded the opportunity to repeat their wanton acts of terror.
FORMER Progressive Democrats leader Des O'Malley said he hoped the new legislation would become a permanent feature to prevent any repetitions of the Omagh atrocity.
The former Justice Minister said there was no need to apologise for having a series of Offences Against the State Acts.
"They are there since 1939 and succeeded other acts which were there from the early 1920s. They are there for very valid reasons. The State could not protect itself or its institutions if they were not there."
Labour's Justice spokesman Deputy Pat Upton said the Labour party could not ignore the legitimate fears of a possible erosion of civil liberties by innovative parts of the legislation.
However, neither could they renege on their responsibilities to ensure that all possible measures were taken to apprehend those responsible for the carnage at Omagh and to ensure that they were not afforded the opportunity to repeat their wanton acts of terror.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/139
Published Date: 03-Sep-98
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