CHIEF CONSTABLE TO MEET OMAGH FAMILIES ON CONTROVERSIAL REPORT
Cheif Constable to meet Omagh Families on controversial report
THE Chief Constable will meet Omagh families in January to outline his response to the controversial Police Ombudsman's report into the handling of the August 1998 bomb investigation.
The report by Mrs. Nuala O'Loan's office was highly critical of the way police handled information prior to the bombing, and the way in which the investigation was carried out.
While her report has been widely described as "damning", the police have challenged its conclusions. Indeed Sir Ronnie Flanagan and other senior officers have been reported as saying they were considering legal action against the Ombudsman for defamation.
The happenings of the past week have left Omagh families concerned and bewildered at the turn of events.
Many were angered at the tone of Mrs. O'Loan's report, and are now awaiting a meeting with the Chief Constable, which has been scheduled for mid January.
But the chairman of the Omagh Victims' Legal Support Group, Mr. Michael Gallagher, said that amid all the furore, nothing should be allowed to deflect blame away from the terrorists who planted the bomb.
The past week or so had been a very difficult period for everybody concerned. There had been a lot for the families to take in, said Mr. Gallagher.
He said that that the Chief Constable had telephoned him on Thursday of last week and had asked if it would be worthwhile for him to come to Omagh to talk to relatives sometime in the middle of January.
Mr. Gallagher said the Chief Constable had disagreed with the Ombudsman's office, and would give his response to the report when he met relatives.
"That is a good thing. The more people are willing to talk about this, the better. It is important to get as much information as possible," Mr. Gallagher said.
Unfortunate
He went on: "It is unfortunate that it has gone down the road that it has done. Nobody has anything to gain from that, except the terrorists.
"It is important we keep the pressure on them. It may seem that in the short term we are putting pressure on the police, but it is only because we want them to put pressure on the terrorists."
Mr. Gallagher added that if there were deficiencies in the system that would help the terrorists, then they should be remedied.
Since the publication of the report there has been a great deal of political comment, and Mr. Gallagher said relatives were grateful that some politicians who had been tempted to "jump in" on the issue had not done so.
Justice
"What happened in Omagh should not be allowed to become a political football. This is far beyond politics, this is about justice," Mr. Gallagher said.
He said some of the families would be meeting tonight (Thursday) to discuss what had unfurled over the past week.
What had happened should not take away any of the blame from the terrorists, Mr. Gallagher said.
"We will never allow them to live this down," he said.
Mr. Gallagher added that, for many families, the only way they would be able to draw a line under what happened and get on with their lives was if those who carried out the attack were brought to justice.
THE Chief Constable will meet Omagh families in January to outline his response to the controversial Police Ombudsman's report into the handling of the August 1998 bomb investigation.
The report by Mrs. Nuala O'Loan's office was highly critical of the way police handled information prior to the bombing, and the way in which the investigation was carried out.
While her report has been widely described as "damning", the police have challenged its conclusions. Indeed Sir Ronnie Flanagan and other senior officers have been reported as saying they were considering legal action against the Ombudsman for defamation.
The happenings of the past week have left Omagh families concerned and bewildered at the turn of events.
Many were angered at the tone of Mrs. O'Loan's report, and are now awaiting a meeting with the Chief Constable, which has been scheduled for mid January.
But the chairman of the Omagh Victims' Legal Support Group, Mr. Michael Gallagher, said that amid all the furore, nothing should be allowed to deflect blame away from the terrorists who planted the bomb.
The past week or so had been a very difficult period for everybody concerned. There had been a lot for the families to take in, said Mr. Gallagher.
He said that that the Chief Constable had telephoned him on Thursday of last week and had asked if it would be worthwhile for him to come to Omagh to talk to relatives sometime in the middle of January.
Mr. Gallagher said the Chief Constable had disagreed with the Ombudsman's office, and would give his response to the report when he met relatives.
"That is a good thing. The more people are willing to talk about this, the better. It is important to get as much information as possible," Mr. Gallagher said.
Unfortunate
He went on: "It is unfortunate that it has gone down the road that it has done. Nobody has anything to gain from that, except the terrorists.
"It is important we keep the pressure on them. It may seem that in the short term we are putting pressure on the police, but it is only because we want them to put pressure on the terrorists."
Mr. Gallagher added that if there were deficiencies in the system that would help the terrorists, then they should be remedied.
Since the publication of the report there has been a great deal of political comment, and Mr. Gallagher said relatives were grateful that some politicians who had been tempted to "jump in" on the issue had not done so.
Justice
"What happened in Omagh should not be allowed to become a political football. This is far beyond politics, this is about justice," Mr. Gallagher said.
He said some of the families would be meeting tonight (Thursday) to discuss what had unfurled over the past week.
What had happened should not take away any of the blame from the terrorists, Mr. Gallagher said.
"We will never allow them to live this down," he said.
Mr. Gallagher added that, for many families, the only way they would be able to draw a line under what happened and get on with their lives was if those who carried out the attack were brought to justice.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0967
Published Date: 20-Dec-01
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