OMAGH BOMB FAMILIES SEEK TALKS ABOUT 'MI5 TIP-OFF'
Omagh bomb families seek talks about 'MI5 tip-off
OMAGH bomb victims have called for talks with Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde over revelations that anti-terrorism intelligence was withheld before the atrocity.
They have written to Sir Hugh seeking a meeting to discuss MI5's handling of a tip-off ahead of the Real IRA strike that killed 29 people including a woman pregnant with twins.
Although Sir Hugh insisted the agency did not deprive his officers of anything during their investigation into the August 1998 massacre, he has resisted pressure to disclose if information was held back before the bombing.
Allegations that MI5 failed to inform Special Branch of the threat emerged during an investigation into an FBI agent who infiltrated the Real IRA. Based on a tip-off from American trucking company boss, David Rupert, who was working undercover within the dissident republican terrorist organisation, three suspects were arrested by police in the Republic in April 1998, but released without charge.
Mr Rupert had warned that terrorists based in Co Donegal were planning a strike on either Omagh or Derry but most likely Omagh, security sources had disclosed.
At the time the RUC were aware that a planned paramilitary organisation had been disrupted due to the MI5 tip-off, it has been claimed.
But sources said no trace could be found on their records of any intelligence from the security services that Omagh or Derry had been targeted.
Police only became aware after detectives involved in the Omagh inquiry spoke to Mr Rupert and studied emails he had exchanged with his handlers in the FBI and MI5.
He had been the central witness in the conviction of Real IRA man Michael McKevitt, jailed for 20 years in 2003.
OMAGH bomb victims have called for talks with Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde over revelations that anti-terrorism intelligence was withheld before the atrocity.
They have written to Sir Hugh seeking a meeting to discuss MI5's handling of a tip-off ahead of the Real IRA strike that killed 29 people including a woman pregnant with twins.
Although Sir Hugh insisted the agency did not deprive his officers of anything during their investigation into the August 1998 massacre, he has resisted pressure to disclose if information was held back before the bombing.
Allegations that MI5 failed to inform Special Branch of the threat emerged during an investigation into an FBI agent who infiltrated the Real IRA. Based on a tip-off from American trucking company boss, David Rupert, who was working undercover within the dissident republican terrorist organisation, three suspects were arrested by police in the Republic in April 1998, but released without charge.
Mr Rupert had warned that terrorists based in Co Donegal were planning a strike on either Omagh or Derry but most likely Omagh, security sources had disclosed.
At the time the RUC were aware that a planned paramilitary organisation had been disrupted due to the MI5 tip-off, it has been claimed.
But sources said no trace could be found on their records of any intelligence from the security services that Omagh or Derry had been targeted.
Police only became aware after detectives involved in the Omagh inquiry spoke to Mr Rupert and studied emails he had exchanged with his handlers in the FBI and MI5.
He had been the central witness in the conviction of Real IRA man Michael McKevitt, jailed for 20 years in 2003.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0781
Published Date: 04-Mar-06
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