PSNI LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN TO FIND OMAGH BOMBER
PSNI launches new campaign to find Omagh bomber
By Suzanne McGonagle
DETECTIVES investigating the 1998 Omagh bombing yesterday launched a newspaper advertising campaign, weeks before a senior judge is expected to deliver his verdict on the trial of a man accused of the murders.
A series of adverts has been placed in daily and weekly newspapers in Northern Ireland and the Republic aimed at gathering further information about the car used in the bombing.
The sophisticated marketing campaign paid for by the PSNI is in marked contrast to its usual appeals for information
The police rely heavily on the media to publicise their appeals but rarely do they take the step of paying for an advertising campaign.
Police said the new appeal was prompted in part by the change in attitude towards policing among republicans.
In January Sinn Fein made the move to back policing in Northern Ireland and the detective leading the probe into the Omagh bombing hopes to break down a wall of silence which has shielded other dissident republicans involved.
Detectives also said they were determined to "seek justice for the victims of the Omagh bombing", which killed 29 people including a woman pregnant with twins.
The campaign comes just weeks before Mr Justice Weir is expected to deliver his judgment on Sean Gerard Hoey, the man accused of the bombing.
In January at the end of the 56-day trial, the judge said he had a "great deal to think about".
Hoey, an electrician from Molly Road, Jonesborough in south Armagh, denies a total of 56 charges including 29 counts of murder relating to the Omagh bomb.
Reserving his judgment, Mr Justice Weir said he would give it "as soon as possible". However, it was thought it would take around two months, which means his judgment is due within weeks.
The fresh appeal is directed at those living on either side of the border where the car travelled through.
Detective Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter said even though it had been more than eight years since the bombing, their investigation was continuing.
"In the light of recent changes in attitude from certain groups towards policing, I think it is important to ask everyone to think again about coming forward with information," he said.
"We want to know about the movements of the red/maroon Vauxhall Cavalier between Thursday 13 August 1998 and Saturday 15 August 1998, the day of the explosion which killed 29 innocent people."
Anyone with knows anything about the car's movements in the Carrickmacross area or the Louth/south Armagh area is asked to contact police.
By Suzanne McGonagle
DETECTIVES investigating the 1998 Omagh bombing yesterday launched a newspaper advertising campaign, weeks before a senior judge is expected to deliver his verdict on the trial of a man accused of the murders.
A series of adverts has been placed in daily and weekly newspapers in Northern Ireland and the Republic aimed at gathering further information about the car used in the bombing.
The sophisticated marketing campaign paid for by the PSNI is in marked contrast to its usual appeals for information
The police rely heavily on the media to publicise their appeals but rarely do they take the step of paying for an advertising campaign.
Police said the new appeal was prompted in part by the change in attitude towards policing among republicans.
In January Sinn Fein made the move to back policing in Northern Ireland and the detective leading the probe into the Omagh bombing hopes to break down a wall of silence which has shielded other dissident republicans involved.
Detectives also said they were determined to "seek justice for the victims of the Omagh bombing", which killed 29 people including a woman pregnant with twins.
The campaign comes just weeks before Mr Justice Weir is expected to deliver his judgment on Sean Gerard Hoey, the man accused of the bombing.
In January at the end of the 56-day trial, the judge said he had a "great deal to think about".
Hoey, an electrician from Molly Road, Jonesborough in south Armagh, denies a total of 56 charges including 29 counts of murder relating to the Omagh bomb.
Reserving his judgment, Mr Justice Weir said he would give it "as soon as possible". However, it was thought it would take around two months, which means his judgment is due within weeks.
The fresh appeal is directed at those living on either side of the border where the car travelled through.
Detective Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter said even though it had been more than eight years since the bombing, their investigation was continuing.
"In the light of recent changes in attitude from certain groups towards policing, I think it is important to ask everyone to think again about coming forward with information," he said.
"We want to know about the movements of the red/maroon Vauxhall Cavalier between Thursday 13 August 1998 and Saturday 15 August 1998, the day of the explosion which killed 29 innocent people."
Anyone with knows anything about the car's movements in the Carrickmacross area or the Louth/south Armagh area is asked to contact police.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0835
Published Date: 12-Mar-07
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