RELATIVES 'CYNICAL' OVER ARREST TIMING
Relatives 'cynical' over arrest timing
By Darran McCann
Tyrone correspondent
RELATIVES of those killed in the Omagh bomb have said they are disappointed that no-one has been charged with carrying out the bombing.
Spokesman for the families Michael Gallagher made the comments after a man arrested in connection with the bombing was released without charge.
The suspect (44) was released early yesterday morning after being questioned by detectives for close to 48 hours.
He had been arrested by police in the village of Moy, Co Tyrone, at around 10am on Wednesday.
Police in Dungannon had said the suspect, who is understood to come from the Moy/Blackwatertown area on the Armagh/Tyrone border, was being questioned "about serious terrorist crime linked to the 1998 Omagh bomb".
It remains unclear whether fresh DNA evidence had led to the arrest.
Mr Gallagher's son Aidan (21) was among those who died in what was the worst single bombing of the Troubles.
He said the release without charge of a suspect "had been the story of Omagh on both sides of the border".
"It has always been a story of arrests and releases. I know some of the families tend to be cynical about arrests, especially at the time they happen," Mr Gallagher said, referring to the sensitive stage in the peace process at which the arrest too place.
"When these arrests take place, you do be hopeful that something can come from it," he said.
"Then when you find out it hasn't materialised you do be disappointed. We thought some charges would be brought this time."
However Mr Gallagher said the families would continue their campaign as they were "determined to get to the truth of Omagh".
Twenty-nine people including a woman pregnant with twins died and hundreds were injured when a Real IRA car bomb exploded in Omagh on August 15 1998.
To date, only one person, Colm Murphy from Dundalk, has been jailed for having played a role in the bombing. Murphy was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin to 14 years in jail in January 2002.
By Darran McCann
Tyrone correspondent
RELATIVES of those killed in the Omagh bomb have said they are disappointed that no-one has been charged with carrying out the bombing.
Spokesman for the families Michael Gallagher made the comments after a man arrested in connection with the bombing was released without charge.
The suspect (44) was released early yesterday morning after being questioned by detectives for close to 48 hours.
He had been arrested by police in the village of Moy, Co Tyrone, at around 10am on Wednesday.
Police in Dungannon had said the suspect, who is understood to come from the Moy/Blackwatertown area on the Armagh/Tyrone border, was being questioned "about serious terrorist crime linked to the 1998 Omagh bomb".
It remains unclear whether fresh DNA evidence had led to the arrest.
Mr Gallagher's son Aidan (21) was among those who died in what was the worst single bombing of the Troubles.
He said the release without charge of a suspect "had been the story of Omagh on both sides of the border".
"It has always been a story of arrests and releases. I know some of the families tend to be cynical about arrests, especially at the time they happen," Mr Gallagher said, referring to the sensitive stage in the peace process at which the arrest too place.
"When these arrests take place, you do be hopeful that something can come from it," he said.
"Then when you find out it hasn't materialised you do be disappointed. We thought some charges would be brought this time."
However Mr Gallagher said the families would continue their campaign as they were "determined to get to the truth of Omagh".
Twenty-nine people including a woman pregnant with twins died and hundreds were injured when a Real IRA car bomb exploded in Omagh on August 15 1998.
To date, only one person, Colm Murphy from Dundalk, has been jailed for having played a role in the bombing. Murphy was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin to 14 years in jail in January 2002.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0716
Published Date: 11-Dec-04
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