FAMILIES STILL DEEPLY UNHAPPY OVER BOMB PROBE CONTROVERSY
Families 'still deeply unhappy' over bomb probe controversy
OMAGH families remain deeply unhappy about developments in the controversy over the bomb investigation, Mr. Michael Gallagher, said this week.
Bereaved relatives and some of those injured in the bombing met on Monday to discuss developments after the Policing Board meeting of last week.
But, as Mr. Gallagher told the Tyrone Constitution on Tuesday, no decisions on a way forward were reached, and the group was to meet again last night (Wednesday).
Said the chairman of the victims' self-help group: "We feel we want to make an informed decision. It would be wrong to come with a reaction so soon after the Policing Board meeting. We need to allow things to sink in."
He added: "I do not think the Omagh bomb story will end here."
Mr. Gallagher, who lost a son in the explosion of August 15, 1998, said that many of those at the meeting on Monday night remained unhappy that issues they had sought assurances on had still not been addressed. They felt, for example, it was still important to get as much information as possible on what the intelligence services knew before the attack, and what was done about the information.
There was also still a strong sense that a public inquiry was needed to answer all the questions.
Before, during and after last week's marathon Policing Board meeting comments were made by various political representatives about the proceedings. Mr. Gallagher said relatives had been worried about what seemed to be an apparent politicisation of the situation.
"We, as a committee, have worked hard over the past three-and-a-half years to see that would not happen," he said.
Pleasing
The families who have been meeting in recent weeks represent those who lost loved ones, and includes some of those who were injured. Mr. Gallagher said the cross section of people involved was pleasing to see. He said those represented included widows and widowers of victims, as well as parents of those who lost their lives.
"We are quite pleased with the number of people involved," he added.
Mr. Gallagher stressed that while at the moment the families were looking for answers to specific points, they would never lift the focus on those who planted the bomb and devastated so many lives.
"We will always apply pressure on the Governments to ensure that the people who carried out the bombing are put behind bars," he said.
The relatives' group is continuing its campaign to raise funds for civil legal action against those they believe carried out the bombing.
An event is to be held at Stormont soon to reinforce the campaign, Mr. Gallagher said.
OMAGH families remain deeply unhappy about developments in the controversy over the bomb investigation, Mr. Michael Gallagher, said this week.
Bereaved relatives and some of those injured in the bombing met on Monday to discuss developments after the Policing Board meeting of last week.
But, as Mr. Gallagher told the Tyrone Constitution on Tuesday, no decisions on a way forward were reached, and the group was to meet again last night (Wednesday).
Said the chairman of the victims' self-help group: "We feel we want to make an informed decision. It would be wrong to come with a reaction so soon after the Policing Board meeting. We need to allow things to sink in."
He added: "I do not think the Omagh bomb story will end here."
Mr. Gallagher, who lost a son in the explosion of August 15, 1998, said that many of those at the meeting on Monday night remained unhappy that issues they had sought assurances on had still not been addressed. They felt, for example, it was still important to get as much information as possible on what the intelligence services knew before the attack, and what was done about the information.
There was also still a strong sense that a public inquiry was needed to answer all the questions.
Before, during and after last week's marathon Policing Board meeting comments were made by various political representatives about the proceedings. Mr. Gallagher said relatives had been worried about what seemed to be an apparent politicisation of the situation.
"We, as a committee, have worked hard over the past three-and-a-half years to see that would not happen," he said.
Pleasing
The families who have been meeting in recent weeks represent those who lost loved ones, and includes some of those who were injured. Mr. Gallagher said the cross section of people involved was pleasing to see. He said those represented included widows and widowers of victims, as well as parents of those who lost their lives.
"We are quite pleased with the number of people involved," he added.
Mr. Gallagher stressed that while at the moment the families were looking for answers to specific points, they would never lift the focus on those who planted the bomb and devastated so many lives.
"We will always apply pressure on the Governments to ensure that the people who carried out the bombing are put behind bars," he said.
The relatives' group is continuing its campaign to raise funds for civil legal action against those they believe carried out the bombing.
An event is to be held at Stormont soon to reinforce the campaign, Mr. Gallagher said.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1016
Published Date: 14-Feb-02
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