RELATIVES' RELIEF AT OMAGH PRISON TERM
Relatives' relief at Omagh prison term
By Sharon O'Neill
OMAGH relatives last night issued a fresh call to hunt down the Real IRA bombers still at large as Colm Murphy - the only man charged in connection with the attack -began a 14-year jail term.
Earlier this week, Murphy, who is originally from Co Armagh, was found guilty of conspiring to cause the explosion on August 15, 1998, which killed 29 people and two unborn twins.
There were dramatic scenes at Dublin's Special Criminal Court yesterday as the republican dissident was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in the bombing.
Passing sentence Mr Justice Robert Barr said:"Those who planted the bomb - and Murphy as a back-up or service provider - must have realised that the operation to plant the bomb was fraught with danger and risked death and injury to many.
"Anyone who participated in conspiracy relating to a major atrocity which may have appalling consequences to many, is guilty of a serious crime."
Omagh bomb relatives applauded as Murphy, who has previous convictions for IRA membership and gun-running, was led away from the court.
But his wife Anne shouted at them: "You should be ashamed of yourselves."
After the hearing relatives told of their anger at Mrs Murphy's remarks but spoke of their relief at the jail term handed down.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was killed, said the sentence would send out a stern message to the actual bombers, who have yet to be brought to Justice.
"We hope that the message to come out of the Special Criminal Court today is that if you end up here, and we hope very much that you do, you will get what you deserve," he said.
"The sentence handed down today might seem extreme but for the people who died, to quantify it, it will end up less than six months of their lives."
Kevin Skelton, whose wife Philomena was killed in the blast, added: "I hope this is the start of bringing all the people that were involved in the bombing to justice."
Murphy, who denied the charges, is expected to launch an appeal.
By Sharon O'Neill
OMAGH relatives last night issued a fresh call to hunt down the Real IRA bombers still at large as Colm Murphy - the only man charged in connection with the attack -began a 14-year jail term.
Earlier this week, Murphy, who is originally from Co Armagh, was found guilty of conspiring to cause the explosion on August 15, 1998, which killed 29 people and two unborn twins.
There were dramatic scenes at Dublin's Special Criminal Court yesterday as the republican dissident was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in the bombing.
Passing sentence Mr Justice Robert Barr said:"Those who planted the bomb - and Murphy as a back-up or service provider - must have realised that the operation to plant the bomb was fraught with danger and risked death and injury to many.
"Anyone who participated in conspiracy relating to a major atrocity which may have appalling consequences to many, is guilty of a serious crime."
Omagh bomb relatives applauded as Murphy, who has previous convictions for IRA membership and gun-running, was led away from the court.
But his wife Anne shouted at them: "You should be ashamed of yourselves."
After the hearing relatives told of their anger at Mrs Murphy's remarks but spoke of their relief at the jail term handed down.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was killed, said the sentence would send out a stern message to the actual bombers, who have yet to be brought to Justice.
"We hope that the message to come out of the Special Criminal Court today is that if you end up here, and we hope very much that you do, you will get what you deserve," he said.
"The sentence handed down today might seem extreme but for the people who died, to quantify it, it will end up less than six months of their lives."
Kevin Skelton, whose wife Philomena was killed in the blast, added: "I hope this is the start of bringing all the people that were involved in the bombing to justice."
Murphy, who denied the charges, is expected to launch an appeal.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0536
Published Date: 26-Jan-02
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