RUC HAD FOUR ATTACK WARNINGS
RUC 'had four attack warnings'
By Olga Bradshaw
IN A week of shocking revelations for the bereaved and injured of the Omagh bombing, there have been claims that senior police in the Republic allowed the home made500lb car bomb to cross the border, while four tip-offs about an attack were not acted upon.
In damning reports by Channel-4's news team, headed by internationally respected TV journalist, Jon Snow, it was alleged that the car bomb which detonated in Omagh four years ago was allowed to pass over the border, possibly to protect a Real IRA informant.
Further, it was also claimed that a deal was struck with those who planned and carried out the attack that they would not be prosecuted or unduly harassed by Gardai if they agreed to a ceasefire.
A ceasefire came just a few short weeks after 29 people and unborn twin girls died in Omagh in what was to be labelled the worst atrocity in Northern Ireland's 'Troubles' of the past 30 years.
Quoting from a debriefing document that Channel 4 obtained, the programme makers revealed how a Garda Detective John White, who had channelled information from a reliable informer to higher authorities, had been told the Real IRA had agreed a deal with a government minister in return for calling a ceasefire no Real IRA members would be harassed or receive undue Garda attention.
He explained that no one would be charged on circumstantial evidence or where they were incriminated in written statements by others.
Although contacted in advance of the screening of the two Channel-4 investigations, it was not until Tuesday night that the Irish government vigorously denied claims that a deal had been struck to let those suspected of the Omagh bombing escape prosecution in return for the ceasefire.
By Olga Bradshaw
IN A week of shocking revelations for the bereaved and injured of the Omagh bombing, there have been claims that senior police in the Republic allowed the home made500lb car bomb to cross the border, while four tip-offs about an attack were not acted upon.
In damning reports by Channel-4's news team, headed by internationally respected TV journalist, Jon Snow, it was alleged that the car bomb which detonated in Omagh four years ago was allowed to pass over the border, possibly to protect a Real IRA informant.
Further, it was also claimed that a deal was struck with those who planned and carried out the attack that they would not be prosecuted or unduly harassed by Gardai if they agreed to a ceasefire.
A ceasefire came just a few short weeks after 29 people and unborn twin girls died in Omagh in what was to be labelled the worst atrocity in Northern Ireland's 'Troubles' of the past 30 years.
Quoting from a debriefing document that Channel 4 obtained, the programme makers revealed how a Garda Detective John White, who had channelled information from a reliable informer to higher authorities, had been told the Real IRA had agreed a deal with a government minister in return for calling a ceasefire no Real IRA members would be harassed or receive undue Garda attention.
He explained that no one would be charged on circumstantial evidence or where they were incriminated in written statements by others.
Although contacted in advance of the screening of the two Channel-4 investigations, it was not until Tuesday night that the Irish government vigorously denied claims that a deal had been struck to let those suspected of the Omagh bombing escape prosecution in return for the ceasefire.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1126
Published Date: 31-Oct-02
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