AHERN IN PLEDGE TO TRACK DOWN BOMBERS
Ahern in pledge to track down bombers
IRISH premier Bertie Ahern yesterday pledged his government's "deep commitment" to tracking down the Omagh bombers.
The Taoiseach said in a statement marking the fifth anniversary of the outrage that he was "very conscious of the pain and suffering endured by the victims of the Omagh bombing and their relatives, and of the sadness and grief that attends today's anniversary".
Mr Ahern's comments followed criticism directed at his government earlier this week by relatives of those who died in the 1998 attack.
The relatives have concentrated their criticism on the government's approach to a civil case against five men it claims were implicated in the bombing.
One of those men is Michael McKevitt, the alleged leader of the Real IRA, who last week became the first man to be convicted in the Republic of directing terrorism - an offence introduced in response to the Omagh blast.
Mr Ahern insisted that his government was "deeply committed to pursuing the perpetrators of the Omagh bombing and to achieving justice for the victims and their relatives".
He also confirmed plans for a meeting next month between the Omagh families and Irish justice minister Michael McDowell "with a view to providing whatever practical assistance we can".
The Irish government was represented at yesterday's ceremonies in Omagh by Mr Ahern's brother Noel, who is a minister.
IRISH premier Bertie Ahern yesterday pledged his government's "deep commitment" to tracking down the Omagh bombers.
The Taoiseach said in a statement marking the fifth anniversary of the outrage that he was "very conscious of the pain and suffering endured by the victims of the Omagh bombing and their relatives, and of the sadness and grief that attends today's anniversary".
Mr Ahern's comments followed criticism directed at his government earlier this week by relatives of those who died in the 1998 attack.
The relatives have concentrated their criticism on the government's approach to a civil case against five men it claims were implicated in the bombing.
One of those men is Michael McKevitt, the alleged leader of the Real IRA, who last week became the first man to be convicted in the Republic of directing terrorism - an offence introduced in response to the Omagh blast.
Mr Ahern insisted that his government was "deeply committed to pursuing the perpetrators of the Omagh bombing and to achieving justice for the victims and their relatives".
He also confirmed plans for a meeting next month between the Omagh families and Irish justice minister Michael McDowell "with a view to providing whatever practical assistance we can".
The Irish government was represented at yesterday's ceremonies in Omagh by Mr Ahern's brother Noel, who is a minister.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/481
Published Date: 16-Aug-03
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