HIGH TIME TO CALL IN O'LOAN SAYS RELATIVES
High time to call in O'Loan say relatives
CLAIMS that police in the Irish Republic failed to act on warnings before the Omagh bombing must be investigated by the Northern Ireland police ombudsman, relatives said yesterday.
Families of those killed in the Real IRA attack were dismissive of an inquiry ordered by the Dublin administration, urging the British and Irish authorities to call in ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's office.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was among the 29 killed, said: "We know her remit is only for Northern Ireland, but the governments could make special arrangements at the flick of a switch."
The findings of an independent investigation into the claims in the Republic have yet to be published.
But relatives insisted they have no faith in the inquiry team, led by senior civil servant Dermot Nally, claiming its members do not have the proper skills.
It is understood Omagh families suggested Mrs O'Loan's team of investigators be brought in during talks with Irish Justice Minister Michael McDowell in Dublin on Monday.
Mr McDowell is believed to have rejected the plan, but Mr Gallagher insisted the ombudsman's scathing report on the Royal Ulster Constabulary's investigation into the bombing proved she has the necessary experience.
In a damning assessment of the police hunt for the bombers, Mrs O'Loan discovered RUC Special Branch was told of terrorist plans to strike but failed to alert officers on the ground in Omagh.
Former chief constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan also came in for withering criticism, with the ombudsman concluding that the RUC investigation was hampered by flawed leadership.
No one has ever been convicted of carrying out the Omagh bombing.
But south Armagh man Sean Gerard Hoey, 34, was remanded in custody at the weekend after being charged with Real IRA membership and possessing bomb parts in connection with the attack.
With some of the families also mounting a �10 million lawsuit against five men they blame for the attack, Mr Gallagher added: "Nuala O'Loan should be allowed to carry out a similar investigation into the allegations surrounding the Garda as she did into the RUC.
"It's a joint cross-border police inquiry so we feel she should not be restricted.
"The bombers travelled from the Republic and spent less than 40 minutes in Northern Ireland before returning to the Republic.
"I reckon 80 per cent of the investigative opportunities are within the Republic of Ireland."
A spokesman for Mrs O'Loan stressed her office did not have any powers to launch a probe across the border.
He said: "The Omagh families are right to suggest that investigation into the Garda is beyond our remit.
"Such an investigation would also be beyond our current resources."
It is understood the ombudsman would be compelled to act if the Governments extended her remit.
The Department of Justice in Dublin said Mr McDowell will make a statement on the Nally report once the Dail resumes later this month.
A spokeswoman said: "The Minister has already informed the families that he has full confidence in the integrity, independence and competence of the three-person group.
"Therefore, the question of bringing in somebody from the outside to investigate the allegations does not arise."
CLAIMS that police in the Irish Republic failed to act on warnings before the Omagh bombing must be investigated by the Northern Ireland police ombudsman, relatives said yesterday.
Families of those killed in the Real IRA attack were dismissive of an inquiry ordered by the Dublin administration, urging the British and Irish authorities to call in ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's office.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was among the 29 killed, said: "We know her remit is only for Northern Ireland, but the governments could make special arrangements at the flick of a switch."
The findings of an independent investigation into the claims in the Republic have yet to be published.
But relatives insisted they have no faith in the inquiry team, led by senior civil servant Dermot Nally, claiming its members do not have the proper skills.
It is understood Omagh families suggested Mrs O'Loan's team of investigators be brought in during talks with Irish Justice Minister Michael McDowell in Dublin on Monday.
Mr McDowell is believed to have rejected the plan, but Mr Gallagher insisted the ombudsman's scathing report on the Royal Ulster Constabulary's investigation into the bombing proved she has the necessary experience.
In a damning assessment of the police hunt for the bombers, Mrs O'Loan discovered RUC Special Branch was told of terrorist plans to strike but failed to alert officers on the ground in Omagh.
Former chief constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan also came in for withering criticism, with the ombudsman concluding that the RUC investigation was hampered by flawed leadership.
No one has ever been convicted of carrying out the Omagh bombing.
But south Armagh man Sean Gerard Hoey, 34, was remanded in custody at the weekend after being charged with Real IRA membership and possessing bomb parts in connection with the attack.
With some of the families also mounting a �10 million lawsuit against five men they blame for the attack, Mr Gallagher added: "Nuala O'Loan should be allowed to carry out a similar investigation into the allegations surrounding the Garda as she did into the RUC.
"It's a joint cross-border police inquiry so we feel she should not be restricted.
"The bombers travelled from the Republic and spent less than 40 minutes in Northern Ireland before returning to the Republic.
"I reckon 80 per cent of the investigative opportunities are within the Republic of Ireland."
A spokesman for Mrs O'Loan stressed her office did not have any powers to launch a probe across the border.
He said: "The Omagh families are right to suggest that investigation into the Garda is beyond our remit.
"Such an investigation would also be beyond our current resources."
It is understood the ombudsman would be compelled to act if the Governments extended her remit.
The Department of Justice in Dublin said Mr McDowell will make a statement on the Nally report once the Dail resumes later this month.
A spokeswoman said: "The Minister has already informed the families that he has full confidence in the integrity, independence and competence of the three-person group.
"Therefore, the question of bringing in somebody from the outside to investigate the allegations does not arise."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/522
Published Date: 10-Sep-03
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