BOMBERS CALL A CEASEFIRE
BOMBERS CALL A CEASEFIRE
THE terrorist organisation which killed committed the bomb outrage in Omagh announced late on Tuesday that "all military operations had been suspended".
The announcement by the Real IRA came just hours before the funerals of 16 victims of the bombing, and after the funeral of pregnant mother, Mrs. Avril Monaghan, and her 18-month baby, Maura.
Earlier in the day, the group had claimed responsibility for the bombing, saying it had not intended to "at any time to kill any civilians".
It claimed it had given enough warning to clear the area of members of the public, and that at no time had it been said that the bomb was near the Courthouse.
The Secretary of State, Dr. Mo Mowlam, described the claims as "contemptible", and accused the terrorists of making a "pathetic attempt at an excuse for mass murder".
The group's second statement came after Eire premier, Mr. Bertie Ahern, had given all dissident republican groups 24 hours to call ceasfires.
In a statement, the Real IRA said: "As a direct result of the Omagh tragedy, and also in response to the appeals of Bertie Ahern and others, we are currently embarking on a process of consultation on our future direction.
"In the meantime, all military operations have been suspended from 12 midnight."
However, it is not clear whether the suspension will translate into a permanent ceasefire.
Yesterday, local people described the terrorists' statement as 'hypocritical'.
One man said: "They have done it before and will do it again".
THE terrorist organisation which killed committed the bomb outrage in Omagh announced late on Tuesday that "all military operations had been suspended".
The announcement by the Real IRA came just hours before the funerals of 16 victims of the bombing, and after the funeral of pregnant mother, Mrs. Avril Monaghan, and her 18-month baby, Maura.
Earlier in the day, the group had claimed responsibility for the bombing, saying it had not intended to "at any time to kill any civilians".
It claimed it had given enough warning to clear the area of members of the public, and that at no time had it been said that the bomb was near the Courthouse.
The Secretary of State, Dr. Mo Mowlam, described the claims as "contemptible", and accused the terrorists of making a "pathetic attempt at an excuse for mass murder".
The group's second statement came after Eire premier, Mr. Bertie Ahern, had given all dissident republican groups 24 hours to call ceasfires.
In a statement, the Real IRA said: "As a direct result of the Omagh tragedy, and also in response to the appeals of Bertie Ahern and others, we are currently embarking on a process of consultation on our future direction.
"In the meantime, all military operations have been suspended from 12 midnight."
However, it is not clear whether the suspension will translate into a permanent ceasefire.
Yesterday, local people described the terrorists' statement as 'hypocritical'.
One man said: "They have done it before and will do it again".
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0080
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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