OMAGH GROUP RIFT AS FOUNDER IS OUSTED
Omagh group rift as founder is ousted
EXCLUSIVE
By Sharon O'Neill
Chief Reporter
A MAN whose wife was killed in the Omagh bombing has been ousted from the group he co-founded to help relatives lift and survivors of the tragedy, it has emerged.
Laurence Rush was informed in writing several weeks ago that he was not to attend any further meetings of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group.
Mr Rush, whose wife Elizabeth was one of the 29 people killed in the 1998 Real IRA blast, said his controversial comments sealed his fate in the organisation.
The revelation came as the campaign to launch a civil action against the alleged bombers was entering its final stages, with writs due to be served on the suspects by August 10.
The letter to Mr Rush, dated March 20 and signed by senior members of the group, said: "At a meeting of the above committee, it was agreed that you would not be invited to attend any further meetings.
"You consistently defied any reasonable conduct and put members under unnecessary stress. We wish you well in your own endeavours."
Last night Mr Rush - who had raised concerns over the RUC's handling of the Omagh investigation well before the highly critical report into the police probe of the attack - said he was devastated by the move.
"I got a letter after a meeting which, you could say, was very heated. I was supposedly causing stress to other members. I co-founded the group and, in the early days, meetings were held in my own home," he said.
"I feel very disappointed and let down by the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, which I believe has gone off on a tangent. I have a right as a member of the group to express my opinion."
But Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was killed in the blast, said the decision was taken by the majority of the group.
"Laurence and ourselves have parted company. They (the members) couldn't continue to work with Laurence because he was too difficult to deal with. It wasn't my decision, it was the people at the meeting.
"The last thing I personally want to do is put more stress on Laurence or anyone else. We wish Laurence well. Hopefully the group or Laurence will succeed in getting answers."
The bitter parting is in stark contrast to the show of unity by relatives earlier this year when former chief constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan travelled to Omagh to defend his handling of the inquiry following a damning report by Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan.
Meanwhile, Assistant Chief Constables Alan McQuillan and Sam Kincaid have provided affidavits reportedly contradicting part of a statement by former head of crime Raymond White over the RUC's handling of the Omagh bombing.
EXCLUSIVE
By Sharon O'Neill
Chief Reporter
A MAN whose wife was killed in the Omagh bombing has been ousted from the group he co-founded to help relatives lift and survivors of the tragedy, it has emerged.
Laurence Rush was informed in writing several weeks ago that he was not to attend any further meetings of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group.
Mr Rush, whose wife Elizabeth was one of the 29 people killed in the 1998 Real IRA blast, said his controversial comments sealed his fate in the organisation.
The revelation came as the campaign to launch a civil action against the alleged bombers was entering its final stages, with writs due to be served on the suspects by August 10.
The letter to Mr Rush, dated March 20 and signed by senior members of the group, said: "At a meeting of the above committee, it was agreed that you would not be invited to attend any further meetings.
"You consistently defied any reasonable conduct and put members under unnecessary stress. We wish you well in your own endeavours."
Last night Mr Rush - who had raised concerns over the RUC's handling of the Omagh investigation well before the highly critical report into the police probe of the attack - said he was devastated by the move.
"I got a letter after a meeting which, you could say, was very heated. I was supposedly causing stress to other members. I co-founded the group and, in the early days, meetings were held in my own home," he said.
"I feel very disappointed and let down by the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, which I believe has gone off on a tangent. I have a right as a member of the group to express my opinion."
But Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was killed in the blast, said the decision was taken by the majority of the group.
"Laurence and ourselves have parted company. They (the members) couldn't continue to work with Laurence because he was too difficult to deal with. It wasn't my decision, it was the people at the meeting.
"The last thing I personally want to do is put more stress on Laurence or anyone else. We wish Laurence well. Hopefully the group or Laurence will succeed in getting answers."
The bitter parting is in stark contrast to the show of unity by relatives earlier this year when former chief constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan travelled to Omagh to defend his handling of the inquiry following a damning report by Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan.
Meanwhile, Assistant Chief Constables Alan McQuillan and Sam Kincaid have provided affidavits reportedly contradicting part of a statement by former head of crime Raymond White over the RUC's handling of the Omagh bombing.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0559
Published Date: 22-May-02
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