OMAGH NEW CHIEF DEMANDED
Omagh - new chief demanded
By GEMMA MURRAY
ANGRY Omagh bomb relatives have demanded that a new man take charge of the inquiry into the August 1998 outrage.
In a letter to outgoing PSNI Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan they said: "We feel an independent senior investigation officer is our only chance in gaining criminal prosecutions." Even though police on both sides of the Irish border claim they have identified the bomb team responsible, nobody has been charged with murder.
A chief officer from a force in Britain is being called in to oversee the inquiry.
It is being headed up by Merseyside Det Chief Supt Philip Jones and PSNI Supt Brian McArthur, who will retain operational command.
But the Omagh relatives remain deeply unhappy with the future direction of the investigation.
In their letter to Sir Ronnie, the relatives said: "For three-and-a-half years, we have waited on results of the Omagh bomb investigation.
"We know the current investigation to be flawed and have lost all confidence.
"We now feel an independent senior investigation officer is our only chance in gaining criminal prosecutions.
"We now ask you that, in your last days as Chief Constable, can you do this one thing for us."
Copies of the letter have been sent to Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Republic's Bertie Ahern, whom the relatives claim have refused to meet them.
Last night, a downbeat Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Adrian in the blast, said:
"Putting in place an independent senior investigating officer is an operational matter and obviously within the jurisdiction of the Chief Constable. We are asking Sir Ronnie to give us a chance of getting justice."
By GEMMA MURRAY
ANGRY Omagh bomb relatives have demanded that a new man take charge of the inquiry into the August 1998 outrage.
In a letter to outgoing PSNI Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan they said: "We feel an independent senior investigation officer is our only chance in gaining criminal prosecutions." Even though police on both sides of the Irish border claim they have identified the bomb team responsible, nobody has been charged with murder.
A chief officer from a force in Britain is being called in to oversee the inquiry.
It is being headed up by Merseyside Det Chief Supt Philip Jones and PSNI Supt Brian McArthur, who will retain operational command.
But the Omagh relatives remain deeply unhappy with the future direction of the investigation.
In their letter to Sir Ronnie, the relatives said: "For three-and-a-half years, we have waited on results of the Omagh bomb investigation.
"We know the current investigation to be flawed and have lost all confidence.
"We now feel an independent senior investigation officer is our only chance in gaining criminal prosecutions.
"We now ask you that, in your last days as Chief Constable, can you do this one thing for us."
Copies of the letter have been sent to Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Republic's Bertie Ahern, whom the relatives claim have refused to meet them.
Last night, a downbeat Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Adrian in the blast, said:
"Putting in place an independent senior investigating officer is an operational matter and obviously within the jurisdiction of the Chief Constable. We are asking Sir Ronnie to give us a chance of getting justice."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/408
Published Date: 20-Jan-02
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