NOW NAIL THE REST OF THEM
Now nail the rest of them
By DERIC HENDERSON
Omagh families seek new arrests after man convicted
THE families of the Omagh bomb victims last night called for further arrests following the conviction of the only man so far charged with the atrocity.
Michael Gallagher, whose son, Aidan, was among the 29 people killed in the blast, said the authorities should attempt to bring the rest of the Real IRA gang to justice.
He said: "The court in Dublin has sent a very strong message to the people who came here and who affected the lives of 600 families - you will not be allowed to get away with it.
"That is an important message for Omagh.
"But there were other people involved in this crime and it's important that they are brought to justice as well."
Some of the relatives have already started a High Court action seeking compensation against five men they say were involved in the atrocity.
Mr Gallagher added: "This verdict is very important. All the people of Omagh want is justice."
Laurence Rush, whose wife, Libbi, died in the blast, said: "I have now gone into a softer sadness away from the anger.
"I feel that a crack in the plate has now opened and I do not think that we will have to wait too long before we see justice done fully.
"I can only say that I genuinely believe the Real IRA are now in disarray -there's plenty of evidence linking them, and many individuals, to Omagh."
Victor Barker, who lost his 12-year-old son, James in the blast, welcomed the conviction but called for action to be taken against "the main players".
He attacked Prime Minister Tony Blair, saying he was disgusted over money he was pouring into the Bloody Sunday inquiry.
Assistant Garda commissioner Kevin Carty, who headed the investigation in the Republic, said that the verdict represented a significant milestone in the Omagh investigation.
He said: "We are acutely aware of the suffering and the pain that these people are enduring and all I can say is we hope that the events here this evening might go some way in assisting with the healing process."
Eric Anderson, a former RUC Chief Supt who headed the investigation until his retirement last year, said: "I am delighted for the relatives. It is a great result for them, particularly at the present time.
"It is also a great result for the Garda. They achieved this conviction with help from the RUC."
Colm Murphy, originally from Co Armagh and with an address in Dundalk, was convicted of conspiring to cause the Omagh bombing. He will be sentenced on Friday. Former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson has appealed for financial backing for the High Court civil action.
He urged people to send cheques to: Omagh Victims Legal Trust, 56 Wendover Court, Chiltern Street, London W1U 7NE, or Bank of Ireland, Omagh.
By DERIC HENDERSON
Omagh families seek new arrests after man convicted
THE families of the Omagh bomb victims last night called for further arrests following the conviction of the only man so far charged with the atrocity.
Michael Gallagher, whose son, Aidan, was among the 29 people killed in the blast, said the authorities should attempt to bring the rest of the Real IRA gang to justice.
He said: "The court in Dublin has sent a very strong message to the people who came here and who affected the lives of 600 families - you will not be allowed to get away with it.
"That is an important message for Omagh.
"But there were other people involved in this crime and it's important that they are brought to justice as well."
Some of the relatives have already started a High Court action seeking compensation against five men they say were involved in the atrocity.
Mr Gallagher added: "This verdict is very important. All the people of Omagh want is justice."
Laurence Rush, whose wife, Libbi, died in the blast, said: "I have now gone into a softer sadness away from the anger.
"I feel that a crack in the plate has now opened and I do not think that we will have to wait too long before we see justice done fully.
"I can only say that I genuinely believe the Real IRA are now in disarray -there's plenty of evidence linking them, and many individuals, to Omagh."
Victor Barker, who lost his 12-year-old son, James in the blast, welcomed the conviction but called for action to be taken against "the main players".
He attacked Prime Minister Tony Blair, saying he was disgusted over money he was pouring into the Bloody Sunday inquiry.
Assistant Garda commissioner Kevin Carty, who headed the investigation in the Republic, said that the verdict represented a significant milestone in the Omagh investigation.
He said: "We are acutely aware of the suffering and the pain that these people are enduring and all I can say is we hope that the events here this evening might go some way in assisting with the healing process."
Eric Anderson, a former RUC Chief Supt who headed the investigation until his retirement last year, said: "I am delighted for the relatives. It is a great result for them, particularly at the present time.
"It is also a great result for the Garda. They achieved this conviction with help from the RUC."
Colm Murphy, originally from Co Armagh and with an address in Dundalk, was convicted of conspiring to cause the Omagh bombing. He will be sentenced on Friday. Former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson has appealed for financial backing for the High Court civil action.
He urged people to send cheques to: Omagh Victims Legal Trust, 56 Wendover Court, Chiltern Street, London W1U 7NE, or Bank of Ireland, Omagh.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/410
Published Date: 23-Jan-02
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