MORE SHOULD BE CHARGED OVER OMAGH'
More should be charged over Omagh'
VICTIMS of the Omagh bombing have claimed that far more people should have faced charges in connection with the 1998 atrocity.
Twenty-nine people, including a woman pregnant with twins, were murdered in the dissident republican strike on the Co Tyrone town.
Michael Gallagher, pictured, whose son Aiden was among those killed revealed his fears that the British and Irish governments may cut a deal with the paramilitaries.
"Will they do something with the Real IRA and then find themselves in the embarrassing position of having to release those responsible for the bombing?" he asked.
So far, only south Armagh electrician Sean Hoey (36) has been charged with killing those caught up in the August 1998 blast. He is due to go on trial in September.
Relatives are to have their first formal meeting with Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde today.
"More people north and south of the border should be charged with Omagh," Mr Gallagher said. "I don't think there's been the degree of cooperation between the police forces which the families have been led to believe and that's for political reasons.
"The greatest fear the families have is that both governments will come to an arrangement which legitimises these terrorist crimes."
Meanwhile, Victor Barke'r, who lost his son James in the atrocity, has backed demands that convicted Real IRA bombers be repatriated from English jails to prisons in Ireland.
Mr Barker said Real IRA prisoners should be transferred for the sake of their families who are forced to travel long distances for visits.
VICTIMS of the Omagh bombing have claimed that far more people should have faced charges in connection with the 1998 atrocity.
Twenty-nine people, including a woman pregnant with twins, were murdered in the dissident republican strike on the Co Tyrone town.
Michael Gallagher, pictured, whose son Aiden was among those killed revealed his fears that the British and Irish governments may cut a deal with the paramilitaries.
"Will they do something with the Real IRA and then find themselves in the embarrassing position of having to release those responsible for the bombing?" he asked.
So far, only south Armagh electrician Sean Hoey (36) has been charged with killing those caught up in the August 1998 blast. He is due to go on trial in September.
Relatives are to have their first formal meeting with Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde today.
"More people north and south of the border should be charged with Omagh," Mr Gallagher said. "I don't think there's been the degree of cooperation between the police forces which the families have been led to believe and that's for political reasons.
"The greatest fear the families have is that both governments will come to an arrangement which legitimises these terrorist crimes."
Meanwhile, Victor Barke'r, who lost his son James in the atrocity, has backed demands that convicted Real IRA bombers be repatriated from English jails to prisons in Ireland.
Mr Barker said Real IRA prisoners should be transferred for the sake of their families who are forced to travel long distances for visits.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0784
Published Date: 03-Apr-06
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