MCGUINESS REFUSES TO HEED OMAGH DAD'S CALL
McGuinness refuses to heed Omagh dad's call
By Alan Murray
MARTIN McGuinness has again refused to urge republicans to come forward to provide crucial information about the Omagh bombers.
The Deputy First Minister told the father of one of the young victims on Friday that the group responsible for the devastating attack had recently declared him a "legitimate target".
And he questioned whose agenda the Real IRA was working to then - and now.
The exchange between Mr McGuinness and Victor Barker, whose son James died in the 1998 atrocity, took place as families gathered in Omagh to commemorate its 10th anniversary.
In a message to the Deputy First Minister, Mr Barker said it would be a good day for Sinn Fein to indicate if it was now time to urge people to come forward and give statements to the police about those responsible.
In a series of text messages, Mr McGuinness and Mr Barker briefly discussed the bombing and how the killers could be brought to justice.
In one, the Deputy First Minister said he supported Michael Gallagher's call for an independent tribunal to examine all aspects of the Omagh bombing.
But Mr McGuinness declined to urge his fellow republicans to turn in the bombers: "The group responsible for the Omagh bomb recently declared me a legitimate target, I often wonder whose agenda they were working to 10 years ago and now."
In reply, Barker urged McGuinness to "examine his conscience"
"Martin the police did not plant the bomb your former associates did, now is the time to examine your conscience and to help us secure a criminal conviction."
Mr Barker said yesterday that, once again, he felt that the Deputy First Minister had failed to step up to the mark and take the steps that would help bring the Omagh bombers to justice.
"I have been here before with Martin McGuinness. What he said to me yesterday by text was largely what he has said before.
"He won't take that further step to help bring these killers to justice."
By Alan Murray
MARTIN McGuinness has again refused to urge republicans to come forward to provide crucial information about the Omagh bombers.
The Deputy First Minister told the father of one of the young victims on Friday that the group responsible for the devastating attack had recently declared him a "legitimate target".
And he questioned whose agenda the Real IRA was working to then - and now.
The exchange between Mr McGuinness and Victor Barker, whose son James died in the 1998 atrocity, took place as families gathered in Omagh to commemorate its 10th anniversary.
In a message to the Deputy First Minister, Mr Barker said it would be a good day for Sinn Fein to indicate if it was now time to urge people to come forward and give statements to the police about those responsible.
In a series of text messages, Mr McGuinness and Mr Barker briefly discussed the bombing and how the killers could be brought to justice.
In one, the Deputy First Minister said he supported Michael Gallagher's call for an independent tribunal to examine all aspects of the Omagh bombing.
But Mr McGuinness declined to urge his fellow republicans to turn in the bombers: "The group responsible for the Omagh bomb recently declared me a legitimate target, I often wonder whose agenda they were working to 10 years ago and now."
In reply, Barker urged McGuinness to "examine his conscience"
"Martin the police did not plant the bomb your former associates did, now is the time to examine your conscience and to help us secure a criminal conviction."
Mr Barker said yesterday that, once again, he felt that the Deputy First Minister had failed to step up to the mark and take the steps that would help bring the Omagh bombers to justice.
"I have been here before with Martin McGuinness. What he said to me yesterday by text was largely what he has said before.
"He won't take that further step to help bring these killers to justice."
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL10An/07
Published Date: 17-Aug-08
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