RUC CHIEF REJECTS CLAIMS OF WARNING ABOUT BOMB
RUC Chief rejects claims of warning about bomb
THE chief constable of the RUC, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, has rejected claims that police had been warned before the Omagh bomb blast of August 1998 that terrorists were planning a major explosion in Northern Ireland.
The English 'People' newspaper claimed that three days before the blast a republican informer told the RUC Special Branch that a huge device was to be moved across the border into Northern Ireland.
The newspaper claimed this warning was ignored in order to shield a high level mole within the Real IRA.
The chief constable described the claims as "rubbish".
"They are without foundation. They are also irresponsible and add to the anguish of the victims' families who have already suffered so much," he told PA News.
Sir Ronnie said: "The RUC would not ever ignore intelligence about a bombing in order to protect any Special Branch interest."
Although only one man has so far been charged in connection with the blast that killed 29 people and two unborn babies and injured hundreds more, the chief constable said a number of lines of enquiry were still being pursued.
"Success is not beyond possibility," he said.
THE chief constable of the RUC, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, has rejected claims that police had been warned before the Omagh bomb blast of August 1998 that terrorists were planning a major explosion in Northern Ireland.
The English 'People' newspaper claimed that three days before the blast a republican informer told the RUC Special Branch that a huge device was to be moved across the border into Northern Ireland.
The newspaper claimed this warning was ignored in order to shield a high level mole within the Real IRA.
The chief constable described the claims as "rubbish".
"They are without foundation. They are also irresponsible and add to the anguish of the victims' families who have already suffered so much," he told PA News.
Sir Ronnie said: "The RUC would not ever ignore intelligence about a bombing in order to protect any Special Branch interest."
Although only one man has so far been charged in connection with the blast that killed 29 people and two unborn babies and injured hundreds more, the chief constable said a number of lines of enquiry were still being pursued.
"Success is not beyond possibility," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0893
Published Date: 02-Aug-01
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