POLICE BOARD TO TAKE ROBUST APPROACH OVER BOMB REPORT
Police Board to take 'robust approach' over bomb report
THE Northern Ireland Policing Board has reiterated its commitment to address all the issues raised by the Police Ombudsman's report into the Omagh bomb inquiry.
At the end of last week, the Board met to agree a timetable for considering the report.
The Board insists that it will take 'a robust approach' to tackling all the issues relating to the report.
"We will not shrink from our responsibilities in this regard," the Board said in a statement.
And Professor Desmond Rea, the Board chairman, added: "We are conscious of the sensitivities regarding this matter, but our discussions are constructive and aimed at resolving the issue.
"It remains our task to ensuring that policing is fully accountable and transparent. From today's meeting, it is clear that this Board is totally committed to that task.
"But we also remain fully aware of the major sensitivities of the report, ad will give it full and proper consideration.
"However, to meet this responsibility, we have to be in possession of all the relevant information on the Omagh report, as which time we, as a Board, will make our decisions."
The Board is expected to consider all the implications of Mrs. Nuala O'Loan's report, as well as the rebuttal to be given by the Chief Constable when he meets Omagh relatives on January 24.
The Policing Board is made up of representatives of political parties, with the exception of Sinn Fein, and independent appointees.
One of the SDLP's representatives on the Board is Mr. Joe Byrne, one of the party's West Tyrone Assembly members.
THE Northern Ireland Policing Board has reiterated its commitment to address all the issues raised by the Police Ombudsman's report into the Omagh bomb inquiry.
At the end of last week, the Board met to agree a timetable for considering the report.
The Board insists that it will take 'a robust approach' to tackling all the issues relating to the report.
"We will not shrink from our responsibilities in this regard," the Board said in a statement.
And Professor Desmond Rea, the Board chairman, added: "We are conscious of the sensitivities regarding this matter, but our discussions are constructive and aimed at resolving the issue.
"It remains our task to ensuring that policing is fully accountable and transparent. From today's meeting, it is clear that this Board is totally committed to that task.
"But we also remain fully aware of the major sensitivities of the report, ad will give it full and proper consideration.
"However, to meet this responsibility, we have to be in possession of all the relevant information on the Omagh report, as which time we, as a Board, will make our decisions."
The Board is expected to consider all the implications of Mrs. Nuala O'Loan's report, as well as the rebuttal to be given by the Chief Constable when he meets Omagh relatives on January 24.
The Policing Board is made up of representatives of political parties, with the exception of Sinn Fein, and independent appointees.
One of the SDLP's representatives on the Board is Mr. Joe Byrne, one of the party's West Tyrone Assembly members.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0992
Published Date: 17-Jan-02
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