OMAGH CASE NEEDS POLICE HELP - FAMILIES
Omagh case needs police help - families
Contrast drawn with action taken in Madrid
BOTH the PSNI and the Garda must lend their support to the Omagh victims' �10 million civil action against the suspects if anyone is ever to be convicted for the atrocity, it was claimed yesterday.
Michael Gallagher said relatives felt enormous relief now that their landmark lawsuit had finally got off the ground, over five years since the Real IRA bombing.
He urged authorities North and South to co-operate fully with the families' lawyers.
Mr Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son, Aidan, was one of 29 killed in the 1998 massacre, also said that the British and Irish governments could learn something from the way Spanish authorities dealt with the Madrid bombing.
"Three weeks ago, the Spanish government made a statement saying that all the main participants in the Madrid bombing were either dead or behind bars," he said.
"We have to remember the Spanish government knew nothing about those involved prior to the bombing.
"In context with Omagh, where books have been written about the suspects, it proves we have a lot to learn."
He said the relatives had waited patiently for years to see those responsible convicted for murder.
The news that FBI spy David Rupert had agreed to testify against the five suspects had been Welcomed with "absolute delight" he said.
Rupert, a US trucking company boss who infiltrated the Real IRA, was instrumental in the conviction of republican mastermind Michael McKevitt for directing terrorism last year.
His lawyers have made an application for his evidence to be given from America, via video-link, to protect his life.
Speaking at the Fine Gael opposition party's annual meeting in Dublin, Mr Gallagher described how the bereaved and victims of the Omagh atrocity had come together, supported each other and, eventually, launched their own civil action.
He read to delegates a moving letter written by his daughter, describing the moment she found out her brother was dead and how terrorism had since affected her life.
The case against those alleged to be responsible for the bombing has been provisionally fixed for January of next year.
Contrast drawn with action taken in Madrid
BOTH the PSNI and the Garda must lend their support to the Omagh victims' �10 million civil action against the suspects if anyone is ever to be convicted for the atrocity, it was claimed yesterday.
Michael Gallagher said relatives felt enormous relief now that their landmark lawsuit had finally got off the ground, over five years since the Real IRA bombing.
He urged authorities North and South to co-operate fully with the families' lawyers.
Mr Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son, Aidan, was one of 29 killed in the 1998 massacre, also said that the British and Irish governments could learn something from the way Spanish authorities dealt with the Madrid bombing.
"Three weeks ago, the Spanish government made a statement saying that all the main participants in the Madrid bombing were either dead or behind bars," he said.
"We have to remember the Spanish government knew nothing about those involved prior to the bombing.
"In context with Omagh, where books have been written about the suspects, it proves we have a lot to learn."
He said the relatives had waited patiently for years to see those responsible convicted for murder.
The news that FBI spy David Rupert had agreed to testify against the five suspects had been Welcomed with "absolute delight" he said.
Rupert, a US trucking company boss who infiltrated the Real IRA, was instrumental in the conviction of republican mastermind Michael McKevitt for directing terrorism last year.
His lawyers have made an application for his evidence to be given from America, via video-link, to protect his life.
Speaking at the Fine Gael opposition party's annual meeting in Dublin, Mr Gallagher described how the bereaved and victims of the Omagh atrocity had come together, supported each other and, eventually, launched their own civil action.
He read to delegates a moving letter written by his daughter, describing the moment she found out her brother was dead and how terrorism had since affected her life.
The case against those alleged to be responsible for the bombing has been provisionally fixed for January of next year.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/546
Published Date: 26-Apr-04
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