OMBUDSMAN CRITICAL OF RUC OMAGH ACTIONS
Ombudsman critical of RUC Omagh actions
THE RUC's handling of the investigation into the Omagh bomb has been called into question by a damning new report by the Police Ombudsman.
Nuala O'Loan's 150-page report is understood to be highly critical of the force in that it raises the possibility of a conflict between the RUC's desire to protect its intelligence source and the pursuit of the Real IRA bombers who killed 29 people and injured hundreds in 1998.
The investigation was ordered after claims from an agent working for the RUC that he tipped off his handler that the Real IRA was planning a bomb.
It is understood Mrs O'Loan's report has uncovered dramatic new information about the RUC's handling of the intelligence sources such as informants, agents and listening devices.
The agent, known as Kevin Fulton, claimed that, a few days before the atrocity, he told his police handler at the RUC anti-racketeering unit that a Real IRA bomb-maker, whose clothes had smelt of bomb materials, claimed something big was imminent.
Mrs O'Loan, who was given a tape recording containing that information, has conceded that the warning was not clear enough to prevent the bombing.
However, she is understood to be critical of RUC Special Branch for steering Omagh investigators away from the bomb-maker who originally tipped off Fulton.
Bereaved relatives and survivors of the bomb are to get an edited copy of the report which was also presented to Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan, two days before he resigned from the police service.
Meanwhile, the father of a victim of the bombing has written to Home Secretary David Blunkett, accusing the Government of failing to act against the threat posed by the Real IRA.
Michael Gallagher, who lost his son, Aidan, 21, called for the criminalisation of the 32-County Sovereignty Movement, widely acknowledged to be the political and fund-raising wing of the Real IRA.
Mr Gallagher, who acts as spokesman for the Omagh Victims Legal Action Group, is taking legal action against those responsible for the atrocity.
He has requested a meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Home Secretary to seek assurances that criminalisation will take place.
THE RUC's handling of the investigation into the Omagh bomb has been called into question by a damning new report by the Police Ombudsman.
Nuala O'Loan's 150-page report is understood to be highly critical of the force in that it raises the possibility of a conflict between the RUC's desire to protect its intelligence source and the pursuit of the Real IRA bombers who killed 29 people and injured hundreds in 1998.
The investigation was ordered after claims from an agent working for the RUC that he tipped off his handler that the Real IRA was planning a bomb.
It is understood Mrs O'Loan's report has uncovered dramatic new information about the RUC's handling of the intelligence sources such as informants, agents and listening devices.
The agent, known as Kevin Fulton, claimed that, a few days before the atrocity, he told his police handler at the RUC anti-racketeering unit that a Real IRA bomb-maker, whose clothes had smelt of bomb materials, claimed something big was imminent.
Mrs O'Loan, who was given a tape recording containing that information, has conceded that the warning was not clear enough to prevent the bombing.
However, she is understood to be critical of RUC Special Branch for steering Omagh investigators away from the bomb-maker who originally tipped off Fulton.
Bereaved relatives and survivors of the bomb are to get an edited copy of the report which was also presented to Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan, two days before he resigned from the police service.
Meanwhile, the father of a victim of the bombing has written to Home Secretary David Blunkett, accusing the Government of failing to act against the threat posed by the Real IRA.
Michael Gallagher, who lost his son, Aidan, 21, called for the criminalisation of the 32-County Sovereignty Movement, widely acknowledged to be the political and fund-raising wing of the Real IRA.
Mr Gallagher, who acts as spokesman for the Omagh Victims Legal Action Group, is taking legal action against those responsible for the atrocity.
He has requested a meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Home Secretary to seek assurances that criminalisation will take place.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/401
Published Date: 03-Dec-01
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.