EMOTIONAL PLEA TO TRACE BOMBERS
Emotional plea to trace bombers
By JULIE O'CONNOR
Detective heading Omagh inquiry highlights 'human side' of atrocity
THE RUC officer in charge of the inquiry into the Omagh bombing broke down yesterday as he made an emotional plea to the public to help him track down the murderers.
Detective Chief Superintendent Eric Anderson said he and all his officers had been left, devastated by the atrocity three months ago which claimed the lives of 29 people.
He said: "All cases are difficult where people have lost their lives, but we are all emotionally caught up in this - how could you not be?
"We do try not to show emotion in these things but I'm afraid, such was the scene of devastation, that it was so harrowing, it is difficult to get away from that.
Mr Anderson said that 11 people had been arrested in Northern Ireland in the aftermath of the bombing, and 31 detained in Eire.
He said he believed a large number of people were involved in the bombing and they were from Co Monaghan, Co Louth, South Armagh and possibly Omagh.
He revealed the car used in the bombing had been seen in Crossmaglen and Cullaville before being parked in Market Street in Omagh.
Vowing to do everything possible to catch the bombers, he pleaded with anyone who may know anything about the bombing to come forward.
In an apparent direct appeal to the families and friends of the bombers, he said: "I want to appeal to the public, please don't give an off-the-cuff reaction to this. I want you to listen to what I am asking and, more importantly, I want you to go away and in the quietness of your room, before you say your prayers -reflect.
"Look away from the police, look at the human side of this. Look away from the company you may be hearing this in and please reflect.
And if you have any piece of information whatsoever, talk to ourselves in the RUC or the Garda.
"I promise you, you will not be badgered, you will not be harassed, you will not be followed and we will observe the utmost confidentiality in that.
"I want you to think about this on your own, perhaps even in church on Sunday, when the respective churches may very well ask for a moment of silence and reflection.
"It may be an appropriate time to reflect on what you may know, or something you may have, whether you think it's important or not. It doesn't really matter. Think about these things and come forward and talk to us."
Parts of the 3001b bomb, including a switch, which devastated Market Street on August 15, were recovered from 35 tonnes of rubble examined by a team of officers from the Metropolitan Police bomb squad, who used specialist equipment to search the debris, looking for clues.
The attack was claimed by the Real IRA and the explosion followed three separate telephone warnings. Two calls were from a phone box at McGeough crossroads, Forkhill, and another was from a callbox at Loyes crossroads, Newtownhamilton.
Detectives on both sides of the border have been in constant contact as part of the on-going inquiry, and Mr Anderson praised the work of the Garda, saying: "They have been quite outstanding."
But he was unable to say if police had positively identified the gang they believe to be responsible for the attack.
Mr Anderson added: "The explosion happened over three months ago but its repercussions for the for the people of Omagh, the Republic of Ireland and Spain will last for many years. Individuals, families and entire communities have been 'left devastated. "It is coming up to Christmas and there are families and people and the devastation is not over for them.
"They may never, and most likely will never, rise above that terrible Saturday in Omagh. And I would ask people to reflect on that. Our thoughts and sympathies are with them. Please help us catch the bombers."
Mr Anderson revealed the details of a call the bombers made to a newsroom in Eire. It said: "It was a commercial target, part of an ongoing campaign against the Brits. We offer our apologies to the injured."
The senior detective said he would leave it up to the public to decide whether they meant to kill or not.
But he added: "It was a deliberate act, not something per chance, once they set the timer and switched on the bomb, they got out of the car in a crowded street and walked away."
Asked if he had identified the team he suspected may have been involved, Mr Anderson said: "Because we arrest people and we don't charge, it does not mean we. have eliminated them from the inquiry. This inquiry is going to take a long time. There probably will be more arrests and I think it's important to stress one of the reasons we're talking to you (the media) today is to encourage the public to come forward and help us.
"If they do that, I can assure you there will be more arrests.
"They may hold the missing part of the jigsaw which we are looking for."
People can still phone the special incident room at Omagh on 01662 46979 or use the freephone confidential Crimestoppers number on 0800 555111.
By JULIE O'CONNOR
Detective heading Omagh inquiry highlights 'human side' of atrocity
THE RUC officer in charge of the inquiry into the Omagh bombing broke down yesterday as he made an emotional plea to the public to help him track down the murderers.
Detective Chief Superintendent Eric Anderson said he and all his officers had been left, devastated by the atrocity three months ago which claimed the lives of 29 people.
He said: "All cases are difficult where people have lost their lives, but we are all emotionally caught up in this - how could you not be?
"We do try not to show emotion in these things but I'm afraid, such was the scene of devastation, that it was so harrowing, it is difficult to get away from that.
Mr Anderson said that 11 people had been arrested in Northern Ireland in the aftermath of the bombing, and 31 detained in Eire.
He said he believed a large number of people were involved in the bombing and they were from Co Monaghan, Co Louth, South Armagh and possibly Omagh.
He revealed the car used in the bombing had been seen in Crossmaglen and Cullaville before being parked in Market Street in Omagh.
Vowing to do everything possible to catch the bombers, he pleaded with anyone who may know anything about the bombing to come forward.
In an apparent direct appeal to the families and friends of the bombers, he said: "I want to appeal to the public, please don't give an off-the-cuff reaction to this. I want you to listen to what I am asking and, more importantly, I want you to go away and in the quietness of your room, before you say your prayers -reflect.
"Look away from the police, look at the human side of this. Look away from the company you may be hearing this in and please reflect.
And if you have any piece of information whatsoever, talk to ourselves in the RUC or the Garda.
"I promise you, you will not be badgered, you will not be harassed, you will not be followed and we will observe the utmost confidentiality in that.
"I want you to think about this on your own, perhaps even in church on Sunday, when the respective churches may very well ask for a moment of silence and reflection.
"It may be an appropriate time to reflect on what you may know, or something you may have, whether you think it's important or not. It doesn't really matter. Think about these things and come forward and talk to us."
Parts of the 3001b bomb, including a switch, which devastated Market Street on August 15, were recovered from 35 tonnes of rubble examined by a team of officers from the Metropolitan Police bomb squad, who used specialist equipment to search the debris, looking for clues.
The attack was claimed by the Real IRA and the explosion followed three separate telephone warnings. Two calls were from a phone box at McGeough crossroads, Forkhill, and another was from a callbox at Loyes crossroads, Newtownhamilton.
Detectives on both sides of the border have been in constant contact as part of the on-going inquiry, and Mr Anderson praised the work of the Garda, saying: "They have been quite outstanding."
But he was unable to say if police had positively identified the gang they believe to be responsible for the attack.
Mr Anderson added: "The explosion happened over three months ago but its repercussions for the for the people of Omagh, the Republic of Ireland and Spain will last for many years. Individuals, families and entire communities have been 'left devastated. "It is coming up to Christmas and there are families and people and the devastation is not over for them.
"They may never, and most likely will never, rise above that terrible Saturday in Omagh. And I would ask people to reflect on that. Our thoughts and sympathies are with them. Please help us catch the bombers."
Mr Anderson revealed the details of a call the bombers made to a newsroom in Eire. It said: "It was a commercial target, part of an ongoing campaign against the Brits. We offer our apologies to the injured."
The senior detective said he would leave it up to the public to decide whether they meant to kill or not.
But he added: "It was a deliberate act, not something per chance, once they set the timer and switched on the bomb, they got out of the car in a crowded street and walked away."
Asked if he had identified the team he suspected may have been involved, Mr Anderson said: "Because we arrest people and we don't charge, it does not mean we. have eliminated them from the inquiry. This inquiry is going to take a long time. There probably will be more arrests and I think it's important to stress one of the reasons we're talking to you (the media) today is to encourage the public to come forward and help us.
"If they do that, I can assure you there will be more arrests.
"They may hold the missing part of the jigsaw which we are looking for."
People can still phone the special incident room at Omagh on 01662 46979 or use the freephone confidential Crimestoppers number on 0800 555111.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/375
Published Date: 21-Nov-98
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