TRIMBLE AND DURKAN APPEAL FOR PATIENCE
Trimble and Durkan appeal for patience
By Kieran McDaid
THE First and Deputy First Minister have appealed for people to give the new policing structures time to deal with the Chief Constable's response to the report into the Omagh bomb investigation.
David Trimble urged people not to jump to "negative conclusions" about the Policing Board's response .
Mr Durkan said the Policing Board, Ombudsman and Omagh relatives should be given time to "absorb" the material made available to them.
Secretary of State John Reid called for a positive and constructive resolution of the issues raised by Mrs O'Loan's report and the Chief Constable's response.
"In her report, the Ombudsman begins by saying that nothing should detract from the guilt of the evil people who planted the bomb in Omagh on August 15, 1998," he said.
"We must never forget that these evil people are solely responsible for the death of 29 innocent people and two unborn children in Omagh on that tragic day."
Earlier, Ulster Unionist Police Board member Fred Cobain called for Mrs O'Loan's report and Sir Ronnie's rebuttal to be published in their entirety.
But he also urged people not to lose sight of the need to catch the bombers.
The north Belfast assembly member said: "We need to use whatever resources and energy we have to ensure this investigation is brought to a successful conclusion."
DUP Policing Board member Ian Paisley Jr said the appearance of two senior garda officers alongside Sir Ronnie was significant.
"It sends out a very powerful signal that no matter what police force would have been handling this incident, they would have done exactly what the RUC has done," he said.
"Therefore the unwarranted criticism by Nuala O'Loan is unacceptable."
Fellow board member, the SDLP's Joe Byrne, said the party would have to take time to study both reports before making a final response.
"In relation to the Chief Constable's report, it would appear that the big issue the board will have to deal with is how to beef up the Omagh bomb investigation.
"That is where the recommendations emanating from the Ombudsman's report will be very important he added.
By Kieran McDaid
THE First and Deputy First Minister have appealed for people to give the new policing structures time to deal with the Chief Constable's response to the report into the Omagh bomb investigation.
David Trimble urged people not to jump to "negative conclusions" about the Policing Board's response .
Mr Durkan said the Policing Board, Ombudsman and Omagh relatives should be given time to "absorb" the material made available to them.
Secretary of State John Reid called for a positive and constructive resolution of the issues raised by Mrs O'Loan's report and the Chief Constable's response.
"In her report, the Ombudsman begins by saying that nothing should detract from the guilt of the evil people who planted the bomb in Omagh on August 15, 1998," he said.
"We must never forget that these evil people are solely responsible for the death of 29 innocent people and two unborn children in Omagh on that tragic day."
Earlier, Ulster Unionist Police Board member Fred Cobain called for Mrs O'Loan's report and Sir Ronnie's rebuttal to be published in their entirety.
But he also urged people not to lose sight of the need to catch the bombers.
The north Belfast assembly member said: "We need to use whatever resources and energy we have to ensure this investigation is brought to a successful conclusion."
DUP Policing Board member Ian Paisley Jr said the appearance of two senior garda officers alongside Sir Ronnie was significant.
"It sends out a very powerful signal that no matter what police force would have been handling this incident, they would have done exactly what the RUC has done," he said.
"Therefore the unwarranted criticism by Nuala O'Loan is unacceptable."
Fellow board member, the SDLP's Joe Byrne, said the party would have to take time to study both reports before making a final response.
"In relation to the Chief Constable's report, it would appear that the big issue the board will have to deal with is how to beef up the Omagh bomb investigation.
"That is where the recommendations emanating from the Ombudsman's report will be very important he added.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0530
Published Date: 25-Jan-02
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