BLUNKETT TO MEET OMAGH RELATIVES
BLUNKETT TO MEET OMAGH RELATIVES
By SUNDAY LIFE REPORTER
HOME Secretary David Blunkett has agreed to meet relatives of the Omagh bomb victims to discuss their concerns about fundraising in
Britain by the Real IRA-linked 32-County Sovereignty Committee.
Victor Barker, who lost his son, James, in the August 1998 atrocity, wrote to Downing Street asking for a meeting.
And, in his letter, he challenged Prime Minister Tony Blair and Ulster Secretary John Reid to invite Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness to the meeting to state their position on the bombing. Michael Gallagher, whose 21 year-old son, Aidan, also died in the blast, last night welcomed the meeting with the Home Secretary, which is scheduled for early January. And he said relatives will have tough words for Mr Blunkett.
They claim he has failed to follow the US government's lead in outlawing fundraising by the 32 County Sovereignty Movement.
Mr Gallagher said: "This committee is raising funds in Britain and Ireland which could assist those involved in terrorism, but the Government of the United Kingdom will not ban them.
"It leaves me to conclude that Tony Blair is prepared to tackle all the terrorists in the world except those acting in the United Kingdom.
"We want the 32-County Sovereignty Committee stopped and we will ask David Blunkett why he did not do that in his recent legislation."
He added: "The Omagh investigation lies in the republican community, and rests with those like Mr Adams and Mr McGuinness, who have influence in that community.
"If they wanted to, they could step forward and offer the assistance needed to help the authorities convict the bombers."
By SUNDAY LIFE REPORTER
HOME Secretary David Blunkett has agreed to meet relatives of the Omagh bomb victims to discuss their concerns about fundraising in
Britain by the Real IRA-linked 32-County Sovereignty Committee.
Victor Barker, who lost his son, James, in the August 1998 atrocity, wrote to Downing Street asking for a meeting.
And, in his letter, he challenged Prime Minister Tony Blair and Ulster Secretary John Reid to invite Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness to the meeting to state their position on the bombing. Michael Gallagher, whose 21 year-old son, Aidan, also died in the blast, last night welcomed the meeting with the Home Secretary, which is scheduled for early January. And he said relatives will have tough words for Mr Blunkett.
They claim he has failed to follow the US government's lead in outlawing fundraising by the 32 County Sovereignty Movement.
Mr Gallagher said: "This committee is raising funds in Britain and Ireland which could assist those involved in terrorism, but the Government of the United Kingdom will not ban them.
"It leaves me to conclude that Tony Blair is prepared to tackle all the terrorists in the world except those acting in the United Kingdom.
"We want the 32-County Sovereignty Committee stopped and we will ask David Blunkett why he did not do that in his recent legislation."
He added: "The Omagh investigation lies in the republican community, and rests with those like Mr Adams and Mr McGuinness, who have influence in that community.
"If they wanted to, they could step forward and offer the assistance needed to help the authorities convict the bombers."
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/124
Published Date: 30-Dec-01
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