ALLEGATIONS OVER OMAGH DEFY BELIEF
Allegations over Omagh defy belief
THE security services' alleged withholding of intelligence files relating to the Omagh bombing defies belief.
The revelation that the Real IRA bombers' telephone calls - made as they were transporting their deadly load - were recorded comes as the families pursue their civil action.
Perhaps more importantly, although it is very much in keeping with the farcical manner in which the 'evidence' played out in the criminal court, it only became public after Sean Hoey, from south Armagh, stood trial accused, and subsequently cleared, of murder.
The Government now faces many questions, foremost of which is: Could the bombing that claimed the lives of 29 people, including a woman expecting twins, have been prevented if this intelligence had been acted on?
The electronic intelligence, through which it is claimed the identities of individuals involved could be ascertained, was gathered by Government Communications Headquarters.
It took an investigation by the BBC's Panorama programme to unearth it, however, as appeals to GCHQ for help by the Omagh families' legal representatives as far back as 2001 had fallen on deaf ears.
The Omagh families have suggested that the withholding of the GCHQ information could constitute a criminal act, which prompts further questions: Was there a conspiracy to deny the courts what could be vital information? And, if so, why was it done and who was responsible?
THE security services' alleged withholding of intelligence files relating to the Omagh bombing defies belief.
The revelation that the Real IRA bombers' telephone calls - made as they were transporting their deadly load - were recorded comes as the families pursue their civil action.
Perhaps more importantly, although it is very much in keeping with the farcical manner in which the 'evidence' played out in the criminal court, it only became public after Sean Hoey, from south Armagh, stood trial accused, and subsequently cleared, of murder.
The Government now faces many questions, foremost of which is: Could the bombing that claimed the lives of 29 people, including a woman expecting twins, have been prevented if this intelligence had been acted on?
The electronic intelligence, through which it is claimed the identities of individuals involved could be ascertained, was gathered by Government Communications Headquarters.
It took an investigation by the BBC's Panorama programme to unearth it, however, as appeals to GCHQ for help by the Omagh families' legal representatives as far back as 2001 had fallen on deaf ears.
The Omagh families have suggested that the withholding of the GCHQ information could constitute a criminal act, which prompts further questions: Was there a conspiracy to deny the courts what could be vital information? And, if so, why was it done and who was responsible?
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/777
Published Date: 17-Sep-08
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