VICTIMS GROUP CALLS FOR CROSS-BORDER INQUIRY
Victims group calls for cross-border inquiry
By Terry Patterson
MEMBERS of the Omagh Victims Group are today (Thursday) to be briefed in Belfast by senior Merseyside police officer, Mike Tong, on the report of his inquiry into the town centre bombing investigation.
Ahead of the briefing the group has called for a cross-border inquiry, and for support for a National Day of Remembrance for the victims of terrorism.
The appeals were made to SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, at a long and, "at times, quite heated" meeting at the Silverbirch Hotel on Tuesday evening.
Speaking after the meeting, group spokesman, Michael Gallagher, said: "The bombing of Omagh was a cross-border crime, and it makes sense that there should be a cross-border inquiry.
"We are not quite sure whether a public inquiry is the best vehicle to investigate all aspects of the Omagh bomb, but a joint effort is needed."
Mr. Gallagher hailed as "vital" Mr. Durkan's agreement to support the families' call and he also welcomed the former Deputy First Minister's support for a Day of Remembrance.
"Mr. Durkan said he had no difficulty with supporting such a move, and it is something we will be raising with the other political leaders," said Mr. Gallagher.
Tuesday's meeting was the first in a planned series of consultations with all the Province's political chiefs. UUP leader, David Trimble is to meet the victims group next week.
Tuesday's session, led by the group's agenda, was attended by 11 members of the local organisation and went on for two-and-a-half-hours. Mr. Durkan was accompanied by his party's West Tyrone MLA., Joe Byrne.
"It was quite long and, at times, a quite heated meeting, but that was due to the obvious frustrations of the families with the fact that leading politicians had previously steered clear of Omagh because the issues were too complex," claimed Mr. Gallagher.
"Having said that, we were delighted that Mark Durkan came to listen to what we had to say, and he has promised that he will look at the questions we have raised and try to get us answers.
Reserve judgment
"However, we will reserve judgment on his impact, and on the impact of the other leaders, until we see what they deliver."
The wide-ranging agenda challenged a number of what Mr. Gallagher termed "important' issues, notably 'what happened before the bomb?'
"We pointed out that, although the official line was there had been a 30-minute warning, there was, in fact, a 30-year warning, but no one had listened," he said.
"It was not the fault of the people on the ground, but there was a very poor evacuation. After 30 years there was still no emergency town centre evacuation plan in place. That fact finally caught up with the government in Omagh."
Mr. Gallagher revealed that his group had also raised the thorny issue of cross border co-operation with Mr. Durkan and Mr. Byrne.
"The poor relationship between the respective police forces on both sides of the border has hindered the ongoing investigation. There is no doubt about that," insisted Mr. Gallagher.
"There is currently a three man team in Dublin looking into complaints that the Guards never acted on intelligence that was available to them before Omagh.
Shared
"And, afterwards, they never shared their intelligence or forensics with the then RUC."
Meanwhile, Mr. Tong is to present his report to the Policing Board this morning and he is then to meet with representatives of the victims group at PSNI headquarters at Knock at 3pm.
Mr. Gallagher said everyone was hoping to learn that positive things were happening with regard to how the ongoing investigation was being handled.
"What we want to hear is that the police investigation is back on track," he said.
By Terry Patterson
MEMBERS of the Omagh Victims Group are today (Thursday) to be briefed in Belfast by senior Merseyside police officer, Mike Tong, on the report of his inquiry into the town centre bombing investigation.
Ahead of the briefing the group has called for a cross-border inquiry, and for support for a National Day of Remembrance for the victims of terrorism.
The appeals were made to SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, at a long and, "at times, quite heated" meeting at the Silverbirch Hotel on Tuesday evening.
Speaking after the meeting, group spokesman, Michael Gallagher, said: "The bombing of Omagh was a cross-border crime, and it makes sense that there should be a cross-border inquiry.
"We are not quite sure whether a public inquiry is the best vehicle to investigate all aspects of the Omagh bomb, but a joint effort is needed."
Mr. Gallagher hailed as "vital" Mr. Durkan's agreement to support the families' call and he also welcomed the former Deputy First Minister's support for a Day of Remembrance.
"Mr. Durkan said he had no difficulty with supporting such a move, and it is something we will be raising with the other political leaders," said Mr. Gallagher.
Tuesday's meeting was the first in a planned series of consultations with all the Province's political chiefs. UUP leader, David Trimble is to meet the victims group next week.
Tuesday's session, led by the group's agenda, was attended by 11 members of the local organisation and went on for two-and-a-half-hours. Mr. Durkan was accompanied by his party's West Tyrone MLA., Joe Byrne.
"It was quite long and, at times, a quite heated meeting, but that was due to the obvious frustrations of the families with the fact that leading politicians had previously steered clear of Omagh because the issues were too complex," claimed Mr. Gallagher.
"Having said that, we were delighted that Mark Durkan came to listen to what we had to say, and he has promised that he will look at the questions we have raised and try to get us answers.
Reserve judgment
"However, we will reserve judgment on his impact, and on the impact of the other leaders, until we see what they deliver."
The wide-ranging agenda challenged a number of what Mr. Gallagher termed "important' issues, notably 'what happened before the bomb?'
"We pointed out that, although the official line was there had been a 30-minute warning, there was, in fact, a 30-year warning, but no one had listened," he said.
"It was not the fault of the people on the ground, but there was a very poor evacuation. After 30 years there was still no emergency town centre evacuation plan in place. That fact finally caught up with the government in Omagh."
Mr. Gallagher revealed that his group had also raised the thorny issue of cross border co-operation with Mr. Durkan and Mr. Byrne.
"The poor relationship between the respective police forces on both sides of the border has hindered the ongoing investigation. There is no doubt about that," insisted Mr. Gallagher.
"There is currently a three man team in Dublin looking into complaints that the Guards never acted on intelligence that was available to them before Omagh.
Shared
"And, afterwards, they never shared their intelligence or forensics with the then RUC."
Meanwhile, Mr. Tong is to present his report to the Policing Board this morning and he is then to meet with representatives of the victims group at PSNI headquarters at Knock at 3pm.
Mr. Gallagher said everyone was hoping to learn that positive things were happening with regard to how the ongoing investigation was being handled.
"What we want to hear is that the police investigation is back on track," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1601
Published Date: 03-Apr-03
Related Images
