OMAGH DAD I WILL MEET RIRA
OMAGH DAD: I WILL MEET RIRA
By STEPHEN BREEN
THE angry father of an Omagh bomb victim last night vowed to confront the renegade republican godfathers, who have threatened to unleash a new wave of violence across Ulster. Victor Barker - who lost his 12-year-old son, James, in the 1998 atrocity - spoke out, after Sunday Life revealed the Real IRA was set to step up its campaign of terror. Mr Barker hit out at the threat - and offered to meet the group's leadership, in a bid to persuade them to end their campaign. The English-based lawyer said he was willing to meet the RIRA terror bosses, or their political representatives in the 32-County Sovereignty Committee, at a secret location, in the Republic.
Said Mr Barker: "I was shocked to see Sunday Life's story about the Real IRA's promise to continue its futile war - they're living in a fantasy world.
"I want to tell them there is no place for violence in Northern Ireland, and only a small number of people have sympathy for their pathetic cause.
"Speaking as someone who has been affected by their violence, I would do my best to encourage them to end their campaign immediately.
I realise that they are still a threat, because of the weapons they possess, and I know they have been gathering stockpiles of fertiliser, in recent months. "I would have no problem debating with these people, but I doubt if they would take me up on my offer, because they have no legitimate reasons for continuing their campaign of violence."
Earlier this month, Sunday Life revealed that senior republican dissidents, from west Belfast, were set to meet with Real IRA chiefs, from Co Derry, to discuss plans for an escalation of violence across the province.
By STEPHEN BREEN
THE angry father of an Omagh bomb victim last night vowed to confront the renegade republican godfathers, who have threatened to unleash a new wave of violence across Ulster. Victor Barker - who lost his 12-year-old son, James, in the 1998 atrocity - spoke out, after Sunday Life revealed the Real IRA was set to step up its campaign of terror. Mr Barker hit out at the threat - and offered to meet the group's leadership, in a bid to persuade them to end their campaign. The English-based lawyer said he was willing to meet the RIRA terror bosses, or their political representatives in the 32-County Sovereignty Committee, at a secret location, in the Republic.
Said Mr Barker: "I was shocked to see Sunday Life's story about the Real IRA's promise to continue its futile war - they're living in a fantasy world.
"I want to tell them there is no place for violence in Northern Ireland, and only a small number of people have sympathy for their pathetic cause.
"Speaking as someone who has been affected by their violence, I would do my best to encourage them to end their campaign immediately.
I realise that they are still a threat, because of the weapons they possess, and I know they have been gathering stockpiles of fertiliser, in recent months. "I would have no problem debating with these people, but I doubt if they would take me up on my offer, because they have no legitimate reasons for continuing their campaign of violence."
Earlier this month, Sunday Life revealed that senior republican dissidents, from west Belfast, were set to meet with Real IRA chiefs, from Co Derry, to discuss plans for an escalation of violence across the province.
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/095
Published Date: 23-May-04
Related Images
