TIGHTER SECURITY FOCUS ON BANNED GROUPS
Tighter security focus on banned groups
By MARY O'CARROLL
A TIGHTENING of cross-border security measures and changes in the requirements on proof of membership of proscribed organisations emerged as key elements of yesterday's top-level Irish-British meeting in the wake of the Omagh bombing.
A three-point action plan was agreed by the Northern Secretary Mo Mowlam and Justice Minister John O'Donoghue after a three-hour meeting at Stormont House yesterday evening.
Dr Mowlam described those responsible for Saturday's bomb in Omagh as "not human but animals,'' saying "I can assure you that we are going to leave no stone unturned, we are determined which is why we've had this very long meeting today to do everything possible to make sure these people are taken off the streets.''
That determination meant that "no option would be ruled out'' she said and the whole question was being looked at because both governments were not looking for knee-jerk reactions but a sensible course of action that would have popular support.
Mr O'Donoghue said he was veering in the direction of an amendment to the Offences Against the State Act "to take those people off the streets.'' The task, he said, "faced governments on each side of the border but no government on its own unilaterally could hope to succeed. We must fight this together and together we are going to fight this.''
The joint statement followed a long briefing discussion with the Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne and the RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan. Dr Mowlam said "the specific measures that we've been looking at between us as to what can be done'' can be divided into three areas:
1. Enhanced practical security co-operation in the border areas with police on both sides looking at specifics "in the very near future''
2. Exploring ways, North and South, of making it easier to convict members of proscribed organisations particularly a number of ways of proving membership
3. A whole host of other measures many with complicated legal dimensions that have gone to the prime minister and the Taoiseach to discuss in greater detail.
Dr Mowlam said it would be stupid to discuss the security options as "we are trying to find ways to tighten up security so to publicise that would defeat the purpose of what we are doing''.
"Co-operation between the RUC and the Garda Siochana has never, ever been better,'' Mr O'Donoghue said but he added they were looking at more specific ways to shore this up.
The Northern Secretary vowed to push on with the peace process and talked about the joint determination of both governments to stop "the 30 people who are out to destroy the process that the rest of the majority of the people in Northern Ireland and the south want to build''.
"The best way to make sure that others don't suffer, the best way to retaliate against these murderers is to make sure that both governments find the determination to move the peace process forward and find a way to make it work,'' she said.
"In the meantime it is the resolve of both governments to implement whatever measures are deemed to be necessary in order to try and take these people off the streets, '' Dr Mowlam said.
Mr O'Donoghue expressed "his revulsion at this heinous appalling crime'' and said the firm resolve of the Irish Government was to ensure that the perpetrators will face justice.
By MARY O'CARROLL
A TIGHTENING of cross-border security measures and changes in the requirements on proof of membership of proscribed organisations emerged as key elements of yesterday's top-level Irish-British meeting in the wake of the Omagh bombing.
A three-point action plan was agreed by the Northern Secretary Mo Mowlam and Justice Minister John O'Donoghue after a three-hour meeting at Stormont House yesterday evening.
Dr Mowlam described those responsible for Saturday's bomb in Omagh as "not human but animals,'' saying "I can assure you that we are going to leave no stone unturned, we are determined which is why we've had this very long meeting today to do everything possible to make sure these people are taken off the streets.''
That determination meant that "no option would be ruled out'' she said and the whole question was being looked at because both governments were not looking for knee-jerk reactions but a sensible course of action that would have popular support.
Mr O'Donoghue said he was veering in the direction of an amendment to the Offences Against the State Act "to take those people off the streets.'' The task, he said, "faced governments on each side of the border but no government on its own unilaterally could hope to succeed. We must fight this together and together we are going to fight this.''
The joint statement followed a long briefing discussion with the Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne and the RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan. Dr Mowlam said "the specific measures that we've been looking at between us as to what can be done'' can be divided into three areas:
1. Enhanced practical security co-operation in the border areas with police on both sides looking at specifics "in the very near future''
2. Exploring ways, North and South, of making it easier to convict members of proscribed organisations particularly a number of ways of proving membership
3. A whole host of other measures many with complicated legal dimensions that have gone to the prime minister and the Taoiseach to discuss in greater detail.
Dr Mowlam said it would be stupid to discuss the security options as "we are trying to find ways to tighten up security so to publicise that would defeat the purpose of what we are doing''.
"Co-operation between the RUC and the Garda Siochana has never, ever been better,'' Mr O'Donoghue said but he added they were looking at more specific ways to shore this up.
The Northern Secretary vowed to push on with the peace process and talked about the joint determination of both governments to stop "the 30 people who are out to destroy the process that the rest of the majority of the people in Northern Ireland and the south want to build''.
"The best way to make sure that others don't suffer, the best way to retaliate against these murderers is to make sure that both governments find the determination to move the peace process forward and find a way to make it work,'' she said.
"In the meantime it is the resolve of both governments to implement whatever measures are deemed to be necessary in order to try and take these people off the streets, '' Dr Mowlam said.
Mr O'Donoghue expressed "his revulsion at this heinous appalling crime'' and said the firm resolve of the Irish Government was to ensure that the perpetrators will face justice.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/183
Published Date: 18-Aug-98
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