GOVERNMENTS LASHED OVER 'FAILURE' TO BRING KILLERS TO JUSTICE
Governments lashed over 'failure' to bring killers to justice
THE father of 12-year-old James Barker, who died in the Omagh bombing while on a day trip to the town, has lashed out at the Government for failing to do more to alert the public.
Flanked by representatives from other bereaved families, including Mrs. Marion Radford, Mr. Michael Gallagher and Mr. Stanley McCombe, and the father of one of the young boys from Buncrana who died, Mr. Victor Barker said his condemnation, if any, was directed towards the Government, and its failure to grasp and convey to the public what was a real security alert situation in the days leading up to the bombing on August 15 two years ago.
His criticism was also directed at the Government's decision to confine the Army to barracks as part of the peace settlement, and its continued inaction in failing to give all the help and assistance to those investigating the outrage.
"I find it inexcusable that the Government of Great Britain has only chosen to give us pieties about the hunt for the Omagh bombers, and has singularly failed to deliver any form of justice to the innocent victims, especially the many innocent children whose lives and bodies were shattered, including my son, James," he said. "I share the view that even if the RUC response to the bomb warnings in Omagh two years ago could be shown to be inadequate, or ineffectual, there is a singular difference between security forces and terrorists when bombs are planted. The security forces have to run towards then, the terrorists only have to run away.
Mr. Barker continued: "I remain steadfast in my opinion that right-minded people in this country, irrespective of religious persuasion or political beliefs will, ultimately, unite with me in condemning the tunnel vision barbarity which pervades the Real IRA, and their political wing, the 32 Counties Sovereignty Committee.
"I know that I share the views of many, who will continue to pursue those responsible with every means at their disposal, and to bring those who perpetrated this atrocity to justice, no matter how long it takes. The victims of Omagh have not gone away," he said.
Mr. Barker went on to call on Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, whom, he said, he had invited to the press conference, to condemn, without reservation, those responsible, and to encourage everyone in the Republican community who had information which could assist the Garda, to come forward as soon as possible.
"My message to those involved is simply this: 'Don't talk to me about the armed struggle. Don't attempt to justify the indefensible. There was no military or political target in Omagh you have simply murdered women and children," he said.
Thoughts
In the meantime, he said, his family's thoughts, prayers and tears were with the families of all those bereaved and injured in the atrocity, and of the many years of conflict in Ireland and the UK.
"There can be no peace without justice," he said.
Earlier in his statement, Mr. Barker said that he and his family wanted to express their deep and unreserved gratitude for the bravery and commitment of Constable Benson, Nicky Craig and the other, unidentified male civilian, believed to be Robert Porter, who were there to tend to his son's wounds at his time of need, when, sadly, his parents were not with him.
"No human being ought to be asked to endure the horror of that day, and to undertake the task which these men undertook voluntarily and without question," he said.
Mr. Barker added: "This, in itself, deserves the praise and gratitude of everyone, as much as the murderous acts of ruthless terrorists who perpetrated this outrage deserve worldwide condemnation. "I do not share, or associate myself with some of the comments made during the Inquest, which seem to have impugned or criticised the acts of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the hundreds of volunteer citizens and the innocent receivers of the bomb warnings.
"The sadness is that having been denied access to those who are responsible for this outrage, some families will, unwittingly, turn attention to those who are simply forced to deal with the situation on the day.
He concluded: "Although, rightly, some searching questions have been asked by me, about the situation at the hospital, I wish to reiterate that I do not condemn, in any way, indeed I seek to praise those who treated my son."
In a question and answer session following the statement, Mr. Barker said that he had attempted to contact and speak to the Secretary of State, Mr. Peter Mandelson, who was being interviewed that morning.
He said he had also written to Mr. Mandelson to ascertain what action he had taken to bring pressure to bear on those with some influence, but he had only received an "indifferent" response.
Pressure
He said even if the authorities did not want to put pressure on those with influence publicly, they could do so privately.
Referring to the Panorama documentary "Who Bombed Omagh", Mr. Barker said it seemed to have been well researched and the makers had been careful to avoid any naming in a direct sense that would prejudice a trial.
He said that the director general of the BBC had been generous in getting his cheque book out to get the programme on the air.
Mr. Barker said that all the families had been frequently told of people being arrested, and they were now guarded about new optimism.
He said the Inquest had been difficult for people, who were trying to move forward yet it had forced them to look back at the events of that day.
He stressed that the Inquest was not about what happened on the day, but how people had died however, he said there was still the need to get to the bottom of what happened and of those responsible.
Condemning Mr. Adams and Mr. McGuinness for their absence at the Inquest, Mr. Barker said they had been quite happy to attend the funeral and attend the house, but when the nitty-gritty was on the table they were absent.
He also went on call for those let out of prison as part of the peace deal to be let out on strict conditions as to what their bail should be.
Mr. Barker said that he had occasion to meet with Martin McGuinness at a hotel in Buncrana a month after his son was murdered. He said Mr. McGuinness quite openly said if there was anything he could do he would see him, but, Mr. Barker revealed that he had not seen Mr. McGuinness since.
Referring to the outcome of the Inquest, he said that they had been upset to now that there was a possibility that James could have survived. However, they were looking at a situation where hundreds of people were injured, and many of them were suffering badly and the hospital staff could not be blamed as they were trying to deal with the situation.
"I don't believe responsibility lies with anyone other than those involved," he said.
THE father of 12-year-old James Barker, who died in the Omagh bombing while on a day trip to the town, has lashed out at the Government for failing to do more to alert the public.
Flanked by representatives from other bereaved families, including Mrs. Marion Radford, Mr. Michael Gallagher and Mr. Stanley McCombe, and the father of one of the young boys from Buncrana who died, Mr. Victor Barker said his condemnation, if any, was directed towards the Government, and its failure to grasp and convey to the public what was a real security alert situation in the days leading up to the bombing on August 15 two years ago.
His criticism was also directed at the Government's decision to confine the Army to barracks as part of the peace settlement, and its continued inaction in failing to give all the help and assistance to those investigating the outrage.
"I find it inexcusable that the Government of Great Britain has only chosen to give us pieties about the hunt for the Omagh bombers, and has singularly failed to deliver any form of justice to the innocent victims, especially the many innocent children whose lives and bodies were shattered, including my son, James," he said. "I share the view that even if the RUC response to the bomb warnings in Omagh two years ago could be shown to be inadequate, or ineffectual, there is a singular difference between security forces and terrorists when bombs are planted. The security forces have to run towards then, the terrorists only have to run away.
Mr. Barker continued: "I remain steadfast in my opinion that right-minded people in this country, irrespective of religious persuasion or political beliefs will, ultimately, unite with me in condemning the tunnel vision barbarity which pervades the Real IRA, and their political wing, the 32 Counties Sovereignty Committee.
"I know that I share the views of many, who will continue to pursue those responsible with every means at their disposal, and to bring those who perpetrated this atrocity to justice, no matter how long it takes. The victims of Omagh have not gone away," he said.
Mr. Barker went on to call on Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, whom, he said, he had invited to the press conference, to condemn, without reservation, those responsible, and to encourage everyone in the Republican community who had information which could assist the Garda, to come forward as soon as possible.
"My message to those involved is simply this: 'Don't talk to me about the armed struggle. Don't attempt to justify the indefensible. There was no military or political target in Omagh you have simply murdered women and children," he said.
Thoughts
In the meantime, he said, his family's thoughts, prayers and tears were with the families of all those bereaved and injured in the atrocity, and of the many years of conflict in Ireland and the UK.
"There can be no peace without justice," he said.
Earlier in his statement, Mr. Barker said that he and his family wanted to express their deep and unreserved gratitude for the bravery and commitment of Constable Benson, Nicky Craig and the other, unidentified male civilian, believed to be Robert Porter, who were there to tend to his son's wounds at his time of need, when, sadly, his parents were not with him.
"No human being ought to be asked to endure the horror of that day, and to undertake the task which these men undertook voluntarily and without question," he said.
Mr. Barker added: "This, in itself, deserves the praise and gratitude of everyone, as much as the murderous acts of ruthless terrorists who perpetrated this outrage deserve worldwide condemnation. "I do not share, or associate myself with some of the comments made during the Inquest, which seem to have impugned or criticised the acts of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the hundreds of volunteer citizens and the innocent receivers of the bomb warnings.
"The sadness is that having been denied access to those who are responsible for this outrage, some families will, unwittingly, turn attention to those who are simply forced to deal with the situation on the day.
He concluded: "Although, rightly, some searching questions have been asked by me, about the situation at the hospital, I wish to reiterate that I do not condemn, in any way, indeed I seek to praise those who treated my son."
In a question and answer session following the statement, Mr. Barker said that he had attempted to contact and speak to the Secretary of State, Mr. Peter Mandelson, who was being interviewed that morning.
He said he had also written to Mr. Mandelson to ascertain what action he had taken to bring pressure to bear on those with some influence, but he had only received an "indifferent" response.
Pressure
He said even if the authorities did not want to put pressure on those with influence publicly, they could do so privately.
Referring to the Panorama documentary "Who Bombed Omagh", Mr. Barker said it seemed to have been well researched and the makers had been careful to avoid any naming in a direct sense that would prejudice a trial.
He said that the director general of the BBC had been generous in getting his cheque book out to get the programme on the air.
Mr. Barker said that all the families had been frequently told of people being arrested, and they were now guarded about new optimism.
He said the Inquest had been difficult for people, who were trying to move forward yet it had forced them to look back at the events of that day.
He stressed that the Inquest was not about what happened on the day, but how people had died however, he said there was still the need to get to the bottom of what happened and of those responsible.
Condemning Mr. Adams and Mr. McGuinness for their absence at the Inquest, Mr. Barker said they had been quite happy to attend the funeral and attend the house, but when the nitty-gritty was on the table they were absent.
He also went on call for those let out of prison as part of the peace deal to be let out on strict conditions as to what their bail should be.
Mr. Barker said that he had occasion to meet with Martin McGuinness at a hotel in Buncrana a month after his son was murdered. He said Mr. McGuinness quite openly said if there was anything he could do he would see him, but, Mr. Barker revealed that he had not seen Mr. McGuinness since.
Referring to the outcome of the Inquest, he said that they had been upset to now that there was a possibility that James could have survived. However, they were looking at a situation where hundreds of people were injured, and many of them were suffering badly and the hospital staff could not be blamed as they were trying to deal with the situation.
"I don't believe responsibility lies with anyone other than those involved," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1579
Published Date: 12-Oct-00
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.