WHERE'S THE OMAGH BOMB INFORMANT?
Minister grilled on whereabouts of Paddy Dixon
Where's the Omagh bomb informant?
THE Government came under new pressure yesterday over the whereabouts of Paddy Dixon, a key Real IRA informant who allegedly knew about the Omagh bomb plot.
Tory MP for Tewksbury Laurence Robertson pressed NIO Security Minister Ian Pearson over the Dixon case during Northern Ireland Questions in the House of Commons yesterday.
The PSNI has been seeking to interview Mr Dixon for some time, and made numerous requests to the Republic to be allowed to do so.
It is believed Mr Dixon was a gardai informant at the time of the bombing, with Real IRA connections.
He was asked by dissident republicans to provide a stolen car for the Omagh operation, though later was told it was not required as the bomb team had already acquired a vehicle.
Mr Robertson asked: "Can you explain why the Irish Republic refused to hand over Paddy Dixon, who was wanted in connection with questioning with the Omagh bombing?
"Can you also tell me if Paddy Dixon has been relocated to the United Kingdom, because recently he was stopped in Cardiff by the authorities?
"He was found to have a great deal of cash on him. Why were the Police Service of Northern Ireland not alerted to the fact that he was in Great Britain?"
Mr Pearson replied: "There is a good strong level of co-operation between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Garda Siochana on a wide level of issues, certainly including dealing with paramilitaries and dealing with the issue of organised criminal activity.
"As far as the individual concerned that you mentioned, I will look into that issue and get back to you."
The Omagh families have accused the British Government of failing to press the Irish Government over the Paddy Dixon affair.
Where's the Omagh bomb informant?
THE Government came under new pressure yesterday over the whereabouts of Paddy Dixon, a key Real IRA informant who allegedly knew about the Omagh bomb plot.
Tory MP for Tewksbury Laurence Robertson pressed NIO Security Minister Ian Pearson over the Dixon case during Northern Ireland Questions in the House of Commons yesterday.
The PSNI has been seeking to interview Mr Dixon for some time, and made numerous requests to the Republic to be allowed to do so.
It is believed Mr Dixon was a gardai informant at the time of the bombing, with Real IRA connections.
He was asked by dissident republicans to provide a stolen car for the Omagh operation, though later was told it was not required as the bomb team had already acquired a vehicle.
Mr Robertson asked: "Can you explain why the Irish Republic refused to hand over Paddy Dixon, who was wanted in connection with questioning with the Omagh bombing?
"Can you also tell me if Paddy Dixon has been relocated to the United Kingdom, because recently he was stopped in Cardiff by the authorities?
"He was found to have a great deal of cash on him. Why were the Police Service of Northern Ireland not alerted to the fact that he was in Great Britain?"
Mr Pearson replied: "There is a good strong level of co-operation between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Garda Siochana on a wide level of issues, certainly including dealing with paramilitaries and dealing with the issue of organised criminal activity.
"As far as the individual concerned that you mentioned, I will look into that issue and get back to you."
The Omagh families have accused the British Government of failing to press the Irish Government over the Paddy Dixon affair.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/566
Published Date: 28-Oct-04
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