REALISTIC WAY AHEAD, SAYS CHIEF CONSTABLE
Realistic way ahead, says Chief Constable
THE Policing Board has decided on a realistic way ahead over the Omagh bombing inquiry, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, the Chief Constable, has said.
He said the Board had been placed in a difficult position, but what had been decided augured well for the future of the new policing arrangements.
Said Sir Ronnie: "I am pleased at the unequivocal conclusion that the terrible atrocity perpetrated in Omagh on August 15 1998 could not have been prevented. This has been the PSNI position throughout.
"I am also pleased at the Board's commendation of the dedication and commitment of PSNI officers in seeking to secure evidence against those who planted the Omagh bomb.
"The Board clearly recognised the crucial importance of continuity in this regard and how it would be to the serious detriment of the chances of success for the investigation should anyone other than the current senior investigation officer have command."
The Chief Constable said it was of crucial importance that, as the Board indicated, there was complete public support for the investigation from the public and all public representatives north and south of the border.
"It is recognised this investigation must not only be as effective as it is humanly possible to conduct, but that all right-thinking people, primarily of course the victims of this awful crime, must be reassured that this is so," the Chief Constable said.
He said he had no difficulty with the terms of reference for the officer from Merseyside he had already suggested should be brought in, nor with the appointment of another officer by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary.
"I warmly welcome the proposal about the review of the working of the Police Ombudsman's office. With proper mechanisms for accountability in place, the problems which have arisen in this instance should be avoided in the future," he said.
THE Policing Board has decided on a realistic way ahead over the Omagh bombing inquiry, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, the Chief Constable, has said.
He said the Board had been placed in a difficult position, but what had been decided augured well for the future of the new policing arrangements.
Said Sir Ronnie: "I am pleased at the unequivocal conclusion that the terrible atrocity perpetrated in Omagh on August 15 1998 could not have been prevented. This has been the PSNI position throughout.
"I am also pleased at the Board's commendation of the dedication and commitment of PSNI officers in seeking to secure evidence against those who planted the Omagh bomb.
"The Board clearly recognised the crucial importance of continuity in this regard and how it would be to the serious detriment of the chances of success for the investigation should anyone other than the current senior investigation officer have command."
The Chief Constable said it was of crucial importance that, as the Board indicated, there was complete public support for the investigation from the public and all public representatives north and south of the border.
"It is recognised this investigation must not only be as effective as it is humanly possible to conduct, but that all right-thinking people, primarily of course the victims of this awful crime, must be reassured that this is so," the Chief Constable said.
He said he had no difficulty with the terms of reference for the officer from Merseyside he had already suggested should be brought in, nor with the appointment of another officer by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary.
"I warmly welcome the proposal about the review of the working of the Police Ombudsman's office. With proper mechanisms for accountability in place, the problems which have arisen in this instance should be avoided in the future," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1018
Published Date: 14-Feb-02
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