SINN FEIN HELP SOUGHT IN OMAGH INQUIRY
Sinn Fein help sought in Omagh inquiry
BY ALAN ERWIN, PA
A LEADING detective is to seek Sinn Fein's co-operation with the Omagh bomb atrocity investigation, it was revealed last night.
Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter will urge senior party representatives to back the hunt for all those involved in the dissident republican terrorist attack that killed 29 people.
Even though Sinn Fein has been accused of refusing to aid the investigation into the August 1998 outrage, detectives believe the party's decision finally to support policing in Northern Ireland could prove a major turning point.
Mr Baxter wants them to declare publicly that anyone with information on the Real IRA strike should speak to the inquiry team.
So far only one man has been charged with the murders. South Armagh electrician Sean Hoey, 37, is awaiting a judge's verdict after standing trial in Belfast.
Detectives have identified areas on either side of the Irish border where the car used in the bombing was stolen and then stored before it was taken to Omagh, packed with 500lb of explosives.
A PSNI spokesman confirmed the move may be imminent.
He said: "In light of the new attitude towards policing in a substantial part of the republican community, the senior investigating officer in the Omagh bomb investigation is examining the possibility of requesting the assistance of public representatives in the south Armagh and Dundalk areas to encourage people to come forward with information."
It is understood Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy, MP for Newry and Armagh, will be among those contacted by Mr Baxter.
BY ALAN ERWIN, PA
A LEADING detective is to seek Sinn Fein's co-operation with the Omagh bomb atrocity investigation, it was revealed last night.
Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter will urge senior party representatives to back the hunt for all those involved in the dissident republican terrorist attack that killed 29 people.
Even though Sinn Fein has been accused of refusing to aid the investigation into the August 1998 outrage, detectives believe the party's decision finally to support policing in Northern Ireland could prove a major turning point.
Mr Baxter wants them to declare publicly that anyone with information on the Real IRA strike should speak to the inquiry team.
So far only one man has been charged with the murders. South Armagh electrician Sean Hoey, 37, is awaiting a judge's verdict after standing trial in Belfast.
Detectives have identified areas on either side of the Irish border where the car used in the bombing was stolen and then stored before it was taken to Omagh, packed with 500lb of explosives.
A PSNI spokesman confirmed the move may be imminent.
He said: "In light of the new attitude towards policing in a substantial part of the republican community, the senior investigating officer in the Omagh bomb investigation is examining the possibility of requesting the assistance of public representatives in the south Armagh and Dundalk areas to encourage people to come forward with information."
It is understood Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy, MP for Newry and Armagh, will be among those contacted by Mr Baxter.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/687
Published Date: 09-Feb-07
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