OMAGH FAMILIES CONFRONT THE REAL IRA'S APOLOGISTS
Omagh families confront the Real IRA's apologists
FAMILIES of victims of the Omagh bombing yesterday confronted protesters from the Real IRA's political wing as they demonstrated over prisoners' rights. Relatives held pictures of those murdered in the atrocity as they faced members of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement (32 CSM), in a tense stand-off outside the Republic's embassy in London.
The dissident republicans had not known a counter-protest was planned by the Omagh Victims Legal Action Group, and looked shocked when they arrived. Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son, Aidan, was among 29 people killed in the blast, said: "For 30 years, terrorists have not been challenged by families of the victims and they don't like it now it's finally happening.
"They say they're not happy about prisoners' rights. Well, we all had people near and dear to us killed."
The US government designated the 32 CSM a foreign terrorist organisation, when it banned the Real IRA.
However, the group has not been outlawed in the UK or Ireland.
Chairman Francie Mackey, addressed a London meeting last week and the group fund raises in the capital.
Mr Gallagher has written to Home Secretary David Blunkett claiming the Government is failing to protect its people against the Real IRA.
In the letter, he asks: "If the US government considers the 32 CSM to be a sufficient threat to criminalise its activities, based in part by information supplied by this Government, why then does this Government continue to view the 32 CSM differently?"
He said he had requested a meeting with Mr Blunkett and Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss the discrepancy.
Added Mr Gallagher: "After the bombing, the Prime Minister visited Omagh and assured relatives of the victims that every possible step would be taken to bring the terrorists responsible to justice.
"If Mr Blair is a man of his word, and if he is committed to the global war on terrorism, he must take active measures to deal with the 32 Count: Sovereignty Movement." Mr Gallagher also delivered a letter to the Irish Ambassador, urging the Irish Government to ban the group.
Michael Hogan, from the London branch of the 32 CSM which organised the protest said they were demonstrating against the treatment of republican prisoners in Portlaoise jail.
He said: "We have nothing against the Omagh families being here - they are entitle to hold a peaceful demonstration, as are we.
"We will not be drawn into direct confrontation with them, no matter how much we are provoked."
FAMILIES of victims of the Omagh bombing yesterday confronted protesters from the Real IRA's political wing as they demonstrated over prisoners' rights. Relatives held pictures of those murdered in the atrocity as they faced members of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement (32 CSM), in a tense stand-off outside the Republic's embassy in London.
The dissident republicans had not known a counter-protest was planned by the Omagh Victims Legal Action Group, and looked shocked when they arrived. Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son, Aidan, was among 29 people killed in the blast, said: "For 30 years, terrorists have not been challenged by families of the victims and they don't like it now it's finally happening.
"They say they're not happy about prisoners' rights. Well, we all had people near and dear to us killed."
The US government designated the 32 CSM a foreign terrorist organisation, when it banned the Real IRA.
However, the group has not been outlawed in the UK or Ireland.
Chairman Francie Mackey, addressed a London meeting last week and the group fund raises in the capital.
Mr Gallagher has written to Home Secretary David Blunkett claiming the Government is failing to protect its people against the Real IRA.
In the letter, he asks: "If the US government considers the 32 CSM to be a sufficient threat to criminalise its activities, based in part by information supplied by this Government, why then does this Government continue to view the 32 CSM differently?"
He said he had requested a meeting with Mr Blunkett and Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss the discrepancy.
Added Mr Gallagher: "After the bombing, the Prime Minister visited Omagh and assured relatives of the victims that every possible step would be taken to bring the terrorists responsible to justice.
"If Mr Blair is a man of his word, and if he is committed to the global war on terrorism, he must take active measures to deal with the 32 Count: Sovereignty Movement." Mr Gallagher also delivered a letter to the Irish Ambassador, urging the Irish Government to ban the group.
Michael Hogan, from the London branch of the 32 CSM which organised the protest said they were demonstrating against the treatment of republican prisoners in Portlaoise jail.
He said: "We have nothing against the Omagh families being here - they are entitle to hold a peaceful demonstration, as are we.
"We will not be drawn into direct confrontation with them, no matter how much we are provoked."
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/120
Published Date: 02-Dec-01
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