AGONY AS SILENCE PROTECTS OMAGH BOMBERS
Agony as silence protects Omagh bombers
THE agony of the families of the 29 Omagh bomb victims intensified yesterday when police said they knew the identities of their killers - but still don't have enough evidence to put them behind bars.
They believe at least six Real IRA members were involved in the outrage, but they are still free from arrest because people with vital evidence are maintaining their silence and refusing to help the team of detectives led by Chief Superintendent Eric Anderson.
The depth of anguish led one mother who lost her son in the bombing to express her sympathy for the police and her personal despair. Donna-Marie Barker's 12-year-old son James was one of three schoolboys from Donegal who died in the blast.
"To think the police know the identity of my son's killers, yet can't convict them is very disheartening," she said.
"I, along with many others, am forced to endure constant heartache while these murderers continue to walk the streets - it's sickening."
Ever since she buried James she has prayed for the day when she can look into the eyes of his killers.
"I yearn for the day when I can look them in the eye and tell them of the living nightmare which I have been enduring."
The frustration of the special unit hunting the killers increased at the weekend when security chiefs were warned that RIRA members are believed to have joined the Continuity IRA after the Provisionals forced their unit to disband under threat of death.
Security forces have been put on alert after intelligence warnings that the CIRA, who have also recruited hardline Provisionals opposed to the peace process, are planning a new military offensive in Northern Ireland and Britain.
THE agony of the families of the 29 Omagh bomb victims intensified yesterday when police said they knew the identities of their killers - but still don't have enough evidence to put them behind bars.
They believe at least six Real IRA members were involved in the outrage, but they are still free from arrest because people with vital evidence are maintaining their silence and refusing to help the team of detectives led by Chief Superintendent Eric Anderson.
The depth of anguish led one mother who lost her son in the bombing to express her sympathy for the police and her personal despair. Donna-Marie Barker's 12-year-old son James was one of three schoolboys from Donegal who died in the blast.
"To think the police know the identity of my son's killers, yet can't convict them is very disheartening," she said.
"I, along with many others, am forced to endure constant heartache while these murderers continue to walk the streets - it's sickening."
Ever since she buried James she has prayed for the day when she can look into the eyes of his killers.
"I yearn for the day when I can look them in the eye and tell them of the living nightmare which I have been enduring."
The frustration of the special unit hunting the killers increased at the weekend when security chiefs were warned that RIRA members are believed to have joined the Continuity IRA after the Provisionals forced their unit to disband under threat of death.
Security forces have been put on alert after intelligence warnings that the CIRA, who have also recruited hardline Provisionals opposed to the peace process, are planning a new military offensive in Northern Ireland and Britain.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/173
Published Date: 06-Jan-99
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