FLANAGAN AND O'LOAN IN TALKS OVER RIFT
Flanagan and O'Loan in talks over rift
By DERIC HENDERSON
CHIEF Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan and the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan have held talks in a bid to heal the bitter rift over her devastating report into the Omagh bomb investigation.
They agreed a meeting at her office in Belfast after he hit back at accusations that his "flawed judgment" had significantly reduced the chances of bringing the bombers to justice.
The meeting, which lasted more than an hour, took place at Mrs O'Loan's office on Monday.
Police last night confirmed the meeting and a spokesman for the Chief Constable said: "He will be making no further comment until he has prepared a detailed response to the report."
It is understood that representatives of both sides were anxious to have face-to-face talks in an effort to calm the row over her report, which shocked survivors and relatives of the August 1998 outrage, which left 29 people dead, including a mother, pregnant with twins.
The Chief Constable's spokesman added: "It is hoped that the victims of Omagh and their relatives can now be allowed a period of reflection over Christmas and the New Year period."
Sir Ronnie is expected to make his official response to the ombudsman's claims early next year, before he retires.
A spokesman for the ombudsman said: "She is very much of the feeling that continued comment at this stage would not be helpful. She is anxious that the people who suffered as a result of the bombing have as peaceful a Christmas as possible."
Members of the Policing Board are meeting in Belfast on Thursday to discuss the row.
Michael Gallagher - whose son Adrian, aged 21, was among the 29 killed - said he welcomed the meeting.
He said: "I think it is important that these two public figures get their act together.
"It is good for everyone, because the public fiasco that we have seen in the last week has helped nobody in Northern Ireland, least of all the people directly affected."
The relatives are expected to meet the Chief Constable in the middle of next month, when he delivers his response to the ombudsman's stinging assessment of him and the role of Special Branch before and after the bombing.
Part of the report said: "The victims, their families, the people of Omagh and officers of the RUC have been let down by defective leadership, poor judgement and a lack of urgency."
By DERIC HENDERSON
CHIEF Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan and the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan have held talks in a bid to heal the bitter rift over her devastating report into the Omagh bomb investigation.
They agreed a meeting at her office in Belfast after he hit back at accusations that his "flawed judgment" had significantly reduced the chances of bringing the bombers to justice.
The meeting, which lasted more than an hour, took place at Mrs O'Loan's office on Monday.
Police last night confirmed the meeting and a spokesman for the Chief Constable said: "He will be making no further comment until he has prepared a detailed response to the report."
It is understood that representatives of both sides were anxious to have face-to-face talks in an effort to calm the row over her report, which shocked survivors and relatives of the August 1998 outrage, which left 29 people dead, including a mother, pregnant with twins.
The Chief Constable's spokesman added: "It is hoped that the victims of Omagh and their relatives can now be allowed a period of reflection over Christmas and the New Year period."
Sir Ronnie is expected to make his official response to the ombudsman's claims early next year, before he retires.
A spokesman for the ombudsman said: "She is very much of the feeling that continued comment at this stage would not be helpful. She is anxious that the people who suffered as a result of the bombing have as peaceful a Christmas as possible."
Members of the Policing Board are meeting in Belfast on Thursday to discuss the row.
Michael Gallagher - whose son Adrian, aged 21, was among the 29 killed - said he welcomed the meeting.
He said: "I think it is important that these two public figures get their act together.
"It is good for everyone, because the public fiasco that we have seen in the last week has helped nobody in Northern Ireland, least of all the people directly affected."
The relatives are expected to meet the Chief Constable in the middle of next month, when he delivers his response to the ombudsman's stinging assessment of him and the role of Special Branch before and after the bombing.
Part of the report said: "The victims, their families, the people of Omagh and officers of the RUC have been let down by defective leadership, poor judgement and a lack of urgency."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/405
Published Date: 19-Dec-01
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