LIVE INVESTIGATION INTO OMAGH BOMBING SEES COUPLE ARRESTED
Live investigation into Omagh bombing sees couple arrested
By Sharon O'Neill
Chief Reporter
THE detention of a couple in south Armagh yesterday in connection with the 1998 Omagh bombing are the first arrests north of the border for some years.
Real IRA and Continuity IRA suspects based in Northern Ireland were hauled in for questioning in the aftermath of the attack which killed 29 people including a woman pregnant with twins, but were released without charge.
For some families of those killed in the worst single atrocity of the Troubles, yesterday's high-profile arrests mark a major breakthrough in the case but it remains unclear whether charges will be brought.
As lawyers representing relatives prepared to meet Irish justice minister Michael McDowell in a bid to get Garda witnesses to testify in a civil action against the suspected bombers, a major PSNI operation was well under way in the south Armagh village of Jonesborough.
A man and a woman. - well known in the area - were arrested in an operation involving 200 police officers and British soldiers.
It is understood that a number of items were taken away from a house for forensic examination including a small red van.
While police would only say the pair were being questioned about serious terrorist offences, including the Omagh bombing, it is understood that the arrests are linked to a specific line of inquiry involving one of the cars believed to have been used by the bombers on August 15 1998.
So far only one person, Colm Murphy, has been convicted in connection with the bombing.
No-one has been charged with murder.
Last month former Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt - who along with Murphy are being sued by Omagh relatives through the civil courts - was sentenced to 20 years for directing terrorism.
A senior police officer - on the fifth anniversary of the attack -hinted at progress in the investigation.
Following the original shambolic RUC probe into the bombing, a new team has been installed and a review of all evidence including forensic has been carried out.
Detective Superintendent Norman Baxter, who oversees the inquiry, insisted it was "still very much a live investigation" and confirmed that officers were "progressing a number of active lines of inquiry".
"I can assure the victims, the people of Omagh and the wider public that we remain firm in our resolve to bring those responsible to account," he said four weeks ago.
Last night politicians welcomed the arrest and said it pointed to a renewed police commitment to catch the bombers.
SDLP Policing Board member Joe Byrne said: "All efforts must be pursued by the PSNI and the Garda to bring to justice anyone associated or involved in the Omagh bombing.
"It is imperative for public confidence in policing that the criminal investigation is successful in apprehending those responsible for the worst bombing atrocity of the Troubles in the north of Ireland.
"Maximum co-operation between the police services on both parts of the island is crucial and must be seen to be effective in bringing to justice those responsible for the Omagh outrage and thwarting any potential acts of cross-border terrorism in the future."
Policing Board colleague Ian Paisley jnr said: "While not wishing to prejudice any developments I trust that today's developments will be a demonstration of a major gear change in this case that will result in justice for the victims and will be of some relief to the relatives.
"The police must be encouraged to pursue tirelessly this and other unsolved cases so as justice is done and is seen to be done."
By Sharon O'Neill
Chief Reporter
THE detention of a couple in south Armagh yesterday in connection with the 1998 Omagh bombing are the first arrests north of the border for some years.
Real IRA and Continuity IRA suspects based in Northern Ireland were hauled in for questioning in the aftermath of the attack which killed 29 people including a woman pregnant with twins, but were released without charge.
For some families of those killed in the worst single atrocity of the Troubles, yesterday's high-profile arrests mark a major breakthrough in the case but it remains unclear whether charges will be brought.
As lawyers representing relatives prepared to meet Irish justice minister Michael McDowell in a bid to get Garda witnesses to testify in a civil action against the suspected bombers, a major PSNI operation was well under way in the south Armagh village of Jonesborough.
A man and a woman. - well known in the area - were arrested in an operation involving 200 police officers and British soldiers.
It is understood that a number of items were taken away from a house for forensic examination including a small red van.
While police would only say the pair were being questioned about serious terrorist offences, including the Omagh bombing, it is understood that the arrests are linked to a specific line of inquiry involving one of the cars believed to have been used by the bombers on August 15 1998.
So far only one person, Colm Murphy, has been convicted in connection with the bombing.
No-one has been charged with murder.
Last month former Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt - who along with Murphy are being sued by Omagh relatives through the civil courts - was sentenced to 20 years for directing terrorism.
A senior police officer - on the fifth anniversary of the attack -hinted at progress in the investigation.
Following the original shambolic RUC probe into the bombing, a new team has been installed and a review of all evidence including forensic has been carried out.
Detective Superintendent Norman Baxter, who oversees the inquiry, insisted it was "still very much a live investigation" and confirmed that officers were "progressing a number of active lines of inquiry".
"I can assure the victims, the people of Omagh and the wider public that we remain firm in our resolve to bring those responsible to account," he said four weeks ago.
Last night politicians welcomed the arrest and said it pointed to a renewed police commitment to catch the bombers.
SDLP Policing Board member Joe Byrne said: "All efforts must be pursued by the PSNI and the Garda to bring to justice anyone associated or involved in the Omagh bombing.
"It is imperative for public confidence in policing that the criminal investigation is successful in apprehending those responsible for the worst bombing atrocity of the Troubles in the north of Ireland.
"Maximum co-operation between the police services on both parts of the island is crucial and must be seen to be effective in bringing to justice those responsible for the Omagh outrage and thwarting any potential acts of cross-border terrorism in the future."
Policing Board colleague Ian Paisley jnr said: "While not wishing to prejudice any developments I trust that today's developments will be a demonstration of a major gear change in this case that will result in justice for the victims and will be of some relief to the relatives.
"The police must be encouraged to pursue tirelessly this and other unsolved cases so as justice is done and is seen to be done."
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0611
Published Date: 03-Sep-03
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