REPUBLIC DENIES DEAL FOR OMAGH BOMBERS
Republic denies deal for Omagh bombers
By Sharon O'Neill
Chief Reporter
THE Irish government last night vigorously denied claims that it struck a deal to let those suspected of the Omagh bombing escape prosecution in return for a ceasefire.
The latest allegation facing the authorities came just 24 hours after it was revealed the RUC had received two more warnings of a dissident attack just days before the Real IRA blast on August 15 1998.
Last night the second instalment of a Channel 4 News investigation, which focused on the probe in the Republic, claimed that in the wake of the bombing the Irish government agreed not to prosecute those responsible in exchange for a ceasefire.
The damning allegations centres on claims by suspended Garda Detective Sergeant John White - who was arrested in July of this year and is awaiting trial for attempting to pervert the course of justice in a separate matter relating to alleged gardai corruption.
Claims of a deal, according to the programme, were detailed in an alleged confidential debriefing by John White.
Mr White claimed that just days before the bombing he received a tip-off from an informer that dissidents required a stolen car for an attack in the north and further alleged that during a meeting his superior allowed the bomb to go through without passing the information onto the RUC. The detective said details provided by his source led to a number of success against the Real IRA in the south, including the interception of a car bomb at Dun Laoghaire port in April 1998 believed to be destined for England.
Last night the Irish government strenuously denied any deal was struck with the Real IRA.
"There is absolutely no foundation in relation to an agreement between the government and Real IRA on the ceasefire," said a spokesman.
Earlier this year the Irish government ordered an inquiry into Mr White's allegations following a report on his claims by Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan.
A spokesman for the Republic's justice department said the three-man panel was due to deliver its findings shortly.
He also pointed out that one man, Colm Murphy, was convicted and sentenced in the Republic in connection with the Omagh bombing and that 30 Real IRA members were currently serving jail terms and that files are with the DPP in relation to other members of the group.
The Garda Siochana also branded the allegations "totally unfounded".
"The commissioner (Pat Byrne) is concerned that such unfounded allegations would be a source of anxiety to any relatives of those tragically killed or injured in Omagh," he added.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was killed in the blast, said: "I don't know where we go from here. The question I would pose to both governments is, given what has been revealed over the last 48 hours, what are you going to do about it?"
By Sharon O'Neill
Chief Reporter
THE Irish government last night vigorously denied claims that it struck a deal to let those suspected of the Omagh bombing escape prosecution in return for a ceasefire.
The latest allegation facing the authorities came just 24 hours after it was revealed the RUC had received two more warnings of a dissident attack just days before the Real IRA blast on August 15 1998.
Last night the second instalment of a Channel 4 News investigation, which focused on the probe in the Republic, claimed that in the wake of the bombing the Irish government agreed not to prosecute those responsible in exchange for a ceasefire.
The damning allegations centres on claims by suspended Garda Detective Sergeant John White - who was arrested in July of this year and is awaiting trial for attempting to pervert the course of justice in a separate matter relating to alleged gardai corruption.
Claims of a deal, according to the programme, were detailed in an alleged confidential debriefing by John White.
Mr White claimed that just days before the bombing he received a tip-off from an informer that dissidents required a stolen car for an attack in the north and further alleged that during a meeting his superior allowed the bomb to go through without passing the information onto the RUC. The detective said details provided by his source led to a number of success against the Real IRA in the south, including the interception of a car bomb at Dun Laoghaire port in April 1998 believed to be destined for England.
Last night the Irish government strenuously denied any deal was struck with the Real IRA.
"There is absolutely no foundation in relation to an agreement between the government and Real IRA on the ceasefire," said a spokesman.
Earlier this year the Irish government ordered an inquiry into Mr White's allegations following a report on his claims by Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan.
A spokesman for the Republic's justice department said the three-man panel was due to deliver its findings shortly.
He also pointed out that one man, Colm Murphy, was convicted and sentenced in the Republic in connection with the Omagh bombing and that 30 Real IRA members were currently serving jail terms and that files are with the DPP in relation to other members of the group.
The Garda Siochana also branded the allegations "totally unfounded".
"The commissioner (Pat Byrne) is concerned that such unfounded allegations would be a source of anxiety to any relatives of those tragically killed or injured in Omagh," he added.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was killed in the blast, said: "I don't know where we go from here. The question I would pose to both governments is, given what has been revealed over the last 48 hours, what are you going to do about it?"
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0582
Published Date: 30-Oct-02
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.