GARDAI REPORT ON HANDLING OF OMAGH BOMB PROBE TO BE RELEASED SOON, RELATIVES TOLD
Gardai report on handling of Omagh bomb probe to be released soon, relatives told
A REPORT on how Gardai handled their investigation into the Omagh bombing is to be released within the new few weeks, relatives of some of the victims have been told.
The relatives met Brian Cowen, the Republic's Foreign Affairs Minister, in Dublin on Tuesday.
He told them that the report would deal with allegations that Gardai did not pass on information they had been given of a potential bomb attack in Northern Ireland. It has not been made clear whether a full or summarised version of the report will be published.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Michael Gallagher, one of eight relatives at the meeting, said the Minister had been urged to use the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman's office for further enquiries.
"We felt that they were the best-placed people to carry out an investigation. That is not to say we question the ability of the three-man team, but we feel that the Ombudsman's office has investigative skills that would not be available to the team."
He said Mr Cowen had urged the relatives to be patient and await the outcome of the report.
Mr Gallagher said that the Minister had also denied that any deal had been done by the Dublin Government with the Real IRA.
The relatives hope that there will be further meetings with Mr Cowen in the future.
The investigation in the Republic was ordered after a Donegal based Garda alleged he had received information from an informant about terrorist activity in the North. He had passed this on to senior officers.
After the Omagh explosion, he learned that information had not been passed on, and has claimed that senior officers told him they had decided to let attacks in the north continue in order to protect an informant.
Damages
The Garda officer, Sergeant John White, is currently on suspension facing a number of allegations unconnected to the bombing.
Meanwhile, claims for compensation by those injured in the bomb blast and relatives of those who died have been coming before the courts.
Among them was one by traffic warden Mrs Rosemary Ingram.
Mrs Ingram was awarded �253,000 for the injuries and distress she received.
Judge Kevin Finnegan told the court: "This courageous lady had her life destroyed by the Omagh bombing."
He said Mrs Ingram's physical injuries were immense, but this paled into insignificance compared to the post-traumatic stress and panic attacks she had suffered since.
Mrs Ingram had been on duty and was just 20 yards from the bomb car when the explosion went off. She sustained injuries to her neck, shoulders back and legs.
She told the court these injuries continued to restrict her movements, and small particles of shrapnel from the bomb still appeared out of her skin.
Mrs Ingram had to take early retirement from her job, and told the court she had been on painkillers and anti-depressants since.
Dismay
And the relative of one of those who died in the attack has spoken of his dismay on learning that PSNI officers may not give evidence at the forthcoming civil legal action being taken against four men alleged to have been involved in the attack.
Mr Victor Barker, whose son, James, died, said that detectives had privately said they were keen to help the Omagh case, but could not provide signed statements or take the stand to give evidence.
While reluctant officers can be subpoenaed to give evidence, they may be able to apply for public immunity on the grounds of national security, or argue that their evidence in a civil court could hinder the criminal investigation.
A number of senior Garda officers, meanwhile, have said they will take the stand, if called.
Mr Barker said, though, he was "very disappointed" that PSNI officers might not give evidence.
A REPORT on how Gardai handled their investigation into the Omagh bombing is to be released within the new few weeks, relatives of some of the victims have been told.
The relatives met Brian Cowen, the Republic's Foreign Affairs Minister, in Dublin on Tuesday.
He told them that the report would deal with allegations that Gardai did not pass on information they had been given of a potential bomb attack in Northern Ireland. It has not been made clear whether a full or summarised version of the report will be published.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Michael Gallagher, one of eight relatives at the meeting, said the Minister had been urged to use the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman's office for further enquiries.
"We felt that they were the best-placed people to carry out an investigation. That is not to say we question the ability of the three-man team, but we feel that the Ombudsman's office has investigative skills that would not be available to the team."
He said Mr Cowen had urged the relatives to be patient and await the outcome of the report.
Mr Gallagher said that the Minister had also denied that any deal had been done by the Dublin Government with the Real IRA.
The relatives hope that there will be further meetings with Mr Cowen in the future.
The investigation in the Republic was ordered after a Donegal based Garda alleged he had received information from an informant about terrorist activity in the North. He had passed this on to senior officers.
After the Omagh explosion, he learned that information had not been passed on, and has claimed that senior officers told him they had decided to let attacks in the north continue in order to protect an informant.
Damages
The Garda officer, Sergeant John White, is currently on suspension facing a number of allegations unconnected to the bombing.
Meanwhile, claims for compensation by those injured in the bomb blast and relatives of those who died have been coming before the courts.
Among them was one by traffic warden Mrs Rosemary Ingram.
Mrs Ingram was awarded �253,000 for the injuries and distress she received.
Judge Kevin Finnegan told the court: "This courageous lady had her life destroyed by the Omagh bombing."
He said Mrs Ingram's physical injuries were immense, but this paled into insignificance compared to the post-traumatic stress and panic attacks she had suffered since.
Mrs Ingram had been on duty and was just 20 yards from the bomb car when the explosion went off. She sustained injuries to her neck, shoulders back and legs.
She told the court these injuries continued to restrict her movements, and small particles of shrapnel from the bomb still appeared out of her skin.
Mrs Ingram had to take early retirement from her job, and told the court she had been on painkillers and anti-depressants since.
Dismay
And the relative of one of those who died in the attack has spoken of his dismay on learning that PSNI officers may not give evidence at the forthcoming civil legal action being taken against four men alleged to have been involved in the attack.
Mr Victor Barker, whose son, James, died, said that detectives had privately said they were keen to help the Omagh case, but could not provide signed statements or take the stand to give evidence.
While reluctant officers can be subpoenaed to give evidence, they may be able to apply for public immunity on the grounds of national security, or argue that their evidence in a civil court could hinder the criminal investigation.
A number of senior Garda officers, meanwhile, have said they will take the stand, if called.
Mr Barker said, though, he was "very disappointed" that PSNI officers might not give evidence.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1130
Published Date: 14-Nov-02
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