WATCHDOG MAY PROBE BOMB CLAIMS
Watchdog may probe Omagh bomb claims
EXCLUSIVE
CLAIMS that the RUC failed to act on a informer's tip-off about the Omagh bomb are being studied by the Police Ombudsman.
The Sunday People newspaper claimed last week that RUC Special Branch was told about the bomb, three days before the massive explosion ripped through the town, killing 29 people and injuring hundreds more. Now the independent police watchdog is considering launching a full investigation into the allegations. A spokesman told Sunday Life yesterday: "The Police Ombudsman's office is aware of the issues raised.
"As of this time, it is not formally investigating the matter, but it is keeping it under review."
According to the newspaper, an RUC informer told the Stevens Inquiry that he passed information about the bomb and the bomb-maker to his Special Branch handlers, three days before the device was spirited across the border.
He claims he told them where the bomb was being mixed and by whom, but alleges Special Branch didn't act on his tip-off, in order to protect another 'asset' within the Real IRA ranks.
RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan has rejected the claims, saying they only add to the anguish of the bereaved.
And he has appointed a senior detective to probe the allegations.
Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid will debrief all RUC officers who had contact with the informer, who uses the pseudonym 'Kevin Fulton'.
But Michael Gallagher, whose son Adrian, 21, died in the blast, last night urged Nuala O'Loan, the Ombudsman, to launch a formal investigation.
He said: "If there is nothing to hide, then there is no reason why an investigation cannot be carried out.
"They are very serious allegations and it should be left to the Ombudsman to investigate.
"If it was to be the police themselves to investigate, there would always be people who would not accept their findings."
'Kevin Fulton' has claimed that he supplied the RUC with high-grade intelligence, while a member of the IRA 'active service unit' (ASU) which murdered Constable Colleen McMurray in Newry in 1992.
Const McMurray's colleague. Constable George Slane, lost both legs in the mortar blast.
Last year, he accepted the George Cross on her behalf from the Queen, at Hillsborough Castle.
EXCLUSIVE
CLAIMS that the RUC failed to act on a informer's tip-off about the Omagh bomb are being studied by the Police Ombudsman.
The Sunday People newspaper claimed last week that RUC Special Branch was told about the bomb, three days before the massive explosion ripped through the town, killing 29 people and injuring hundreds more. Now the independent police watchdog is considering launching a full investigation into the allegations. A spokesman told Sunday Life yesterday: "The Police Ombudsman's office is aware of the issues raised.
"As of this time, it is not formally investigating the matter, but it is keeping it under review."
According to the newspaper, an RUC informer told the Stevens Inquiry that he passed information about the bomb and the bomb-maker to his Special Branch handlers, three days before the device was spirited across the border.
He claims he told them where the bomb was being mixed and by whom, but alleges Special Branch didn't act on his tip-off, in order to protect another 'asset' within the Real IRA ranks.
RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan has rejected the claims, saying they only add to the anguish of the bereaved.
And he has appointed a senior detective to probe the allegations.
Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid will debrief all RUC officers who had contact with the informer, who uses the pseudonym 'Kevin Fulton'.
But Michael Gallagher, whose son Adrian, 21, died in the blast, last night urged Nuala O'Loan, the Ombudsman, to launch a formal investigation.
He said: "If there is nothing to hide, then there is no reason why an investigation cannot be carried out.
"They are very serious allegations and it should be left to the Ombudsman to investigate.
"If it was to be the police themselves to investigate, there would always be people who would not accept their findings."
'Kevin Fulton' has claimed that he supplied the RUC with high-grade intelligence, while a member of the IRA 'active service unit' (ASU) which murdered Constable Colleen McMurray in Newry in 1992.
Const McMurray's colleague. Constable George Slane, lost both legs in the mortar blast.
Last year, he accepted the George Cross on her behalf from the Queen, at Hillsborough Castle.
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/116
Published Date: 05-Aug-01
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