BEREAVED GET ASSURANCES ON BOMB PROBE
Bereaved get assurances on bomb probe
THE fight to bring the Omagh town centre bombers to justice still has the utmost priority with police on both sides of the border, Omagh Victims' Support Group has been told.
Concerned the investigation had stalled or been scaled down, especially in Northern Ireland, the group had sought reassurances from RUC top brass.
The body had asked for an opportunity to air its disquiet at the highest level, and had requested a meeting with officers leading the inquiry.
That meeting took place on Saturday afternoon, when the largest group of bereaved victims ever to come together since last year's atrocity met at the town's Silverbirch Hotel.
Representatives of 14 families, including all three from Buncrana, were updated on the current state of the police investigation by senior RUC and inquiry officials.
And group chairman, Mr. Michael Gallagher, told Tyrone Constitution, he had come away from the two-and-one-half-hour meeting very much reassured.
"At the end of what was a very difficult meeting for everyone involved, we had been assured there was no slacking in the inquiry, and persuaded all resources necessary to prosecute the case were being brought to bear," said Mr. Gallagher.
He went on: "We were left in no doubt that it remained a very active, ongoing, joint and cross-border inquiry. And we were also convinced of the determination and ability of the police teams involved to see it through to a fruitful end."
Mr. Gallagher said the victims' group, apart from news of one person being charged in the Republic of Ireland, had been unaware of just what was going on.
"We were in the dark, and concerned the major part of the investigation was centred south of the border, and that there was very little activity on its northern side," he explained.
"To be fair to the police, this was the first time we had sought a meeting, and our request was granted immediately. In some ways it was a unique occasion, victims seeking a police briefing, but we have now been told further such requests will be acceded to."
The RUC was represented by the force's task commander, Detective Chief Superintendent, Eric Anderson, who heads the inquiry team, Assistant Chief Constable Chris Albiston, and Detective Chief Superintendent Hammy Houston.
Mr. Albiston said, the meeting had been held to reassure families the RUC was still actively pursuing the bombers.
"And maintaining contact with families is normal in all investigations into serious crime," he added. "We updated the families on the progress of this particular investigation."
Mr. Gallagher said the site of the victims delegation which attended the briefing was significant, and was an indication of the prominence the bombing continued to have in the lives of so many people.
"Normally we have between one quarter to one third of bereaved families represented at events of this nature. On Saturday we had one half, and many others expressed apologies for their inability to attend. It was an excellent turnout," said the chairman.
"We had budgeted for the meeting lasting 90 minutes but it went on for a further hour, and, at the end, all of us were very drawn and exhausted. It was a difficult subject for all who were there."
In all the circumstances, Mr. Gallagher said he believed the afternoon had gone very well, and he complimented the RUC for its approach.
"We were pleased with the meeting, but we will never really be pleased until the perpetrators are brought to justice and put behind bars," he continued.
"The Omagh Victims' Support Group would not want this for any vindictive reason, but rather as an assurance that no other person would lose a son, a daughter, a loved one in similar horrific circumstances as we have."
Both Mr. Gallagher and ACC Albiston concluded with an appeal to the general public to bring any information relating to the bombing to the attention of police, north or south of the border, "to enable detectives bring to justice those responsible".
Mr. Gallagher pleaded: "Anyone who has not come forward, and who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, no matter how small, please contact the RUC or Garda Siochana."
Four bereaved families who attended on Saturday, had also been in court the previous day to support Mr. Victor Barker in his action against the Compensation Agency's refusal to reimburse private school fees paid for his son, James, killed in the bomb.
THE fight to bring the Omagh town centre bombers to justice still has the utmost priority with police on both sides of the border, Omagh Victims' Support Group has been told.
Concerned the investigation had stalled or been scaled down, especially in Northern Ireland, the group had sought reassurances from RUC top brass.
The body had asked for an opportunity to air its disquiet at the highest level, and had requested a meeting with officers leading the inquiry.
That meeting took place on Saturday afternoon, when the largest group of bereaved victims ever to come together since last year's atrocity met at the town's Silverbirch Hotel.
Representatives of 14 families, including all three from Buncrana, were updated on the current state of the police investigation by senior RUC and inquiry officials.
And group chairman, Mr. Michael Gallagher, told Tyrone Constitution, he had come away from the two-and-one-half-hour meeting very much reassured.
"At the end of what was a very difficult meeting for everyone involved, we had been assured there was no slacking in the inquiry, and persuaded all resources necessary to prosecute the case were being brought to bear," said Mr. Gallagher.
He went on: "We were left in no doubt that it remained a very active, ongoing, joint and cross-border inquiry. And we were also convinced of the determination and ability of the police teams involved to see it through to a fruitful end."
Mr. Gallagher said the victims' group, apart from news of one person being charged in the Republic of Ireland, had been unaware of just what was going on.
"We were in the dark, and concerned the major part of the investigation was centred south of the border, and that there was very little activity on its northern side," he explained.
"To be fair to the police, this was the first time we had sought a meeting, and our request was granted immediately. In some ways it was a unique occasion, victims seeking a police briefing, but we have now been told further such requests will be acceded to."
The RUC was represented by the force's task commander, Detective Chief Superintendent, Eric Anderson, who heads the inquiry team, Assistant Chief Constable Chris Albiston, and Detective Chief Superintendent Hammy Houston.
Mr. Albiston said, the meeting had been held to reassure families the RUC was still actively pursuing the bombers.
"And maintaining contact with families is normal in all investigations into serious crime," he added. "We updated the families on the progress of this particular investigation."
Mr. Gallagher said the site of the victims delegation which attended the briefing was significant, and was an indication of the prominence the bombing continued to have in the lives of so many people.
"Normally we have between one quarter to one third of bereaved families represented at events of this nature. On Saturday we had one half, and many others expressed apologies for their inability to attend. It was an excellent turnout," said the chairman.
"We had budgeted for the meeting lasting 90 minutes but it went on for a further hour, and, at the end, all of us were very drawn and exhausted. It was a difficult subject for all who were there."
In all the circumstances, Mr. Gallagher said he believed the afternoon had gone very well, and he complimented the RUC for its approach.
"We were pleased with the meeting, but we will never really be pleased until the perpetrators are brought to justice and put behind bars," he continued.
"The Omagh Victims' Support Group would not want this for any vindictive reason, but rather as an assurance that no other person would lose a son, a daughter, a loved one in similar horrific circumstances as we have."
Both Mr. Gallagher and ACC Albiston concluded with an appeal to the general public to bring any information relating to the bombing to the attention of police, north or south of the border, "to enable detectives bring to justice those responsible".
Mr. Gallagher pleaded: "Anyone who has not come forward, and who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, no matter how small, please contact the RUC or Garda Siochana."
Four bereaved families who attended on Saturday, had also been in court the previous day to support Mr. Victor Barker in his action against the Compensation Agency's refusal to reimburse private school fees paid for his son, James, killed in the bomb.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1410
Published Date: 04-Nov-99
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