OMAGH BOMBING INQUIRY PROBE OFFERS HOPE
Omagh bombing inquiry probe offers hope
By Terry Patterson
THE briefing by Merseyside Deputy Chief Constable Mike Tonge updating the Omagh Victims Support Group on the state of the ongoing police investigation into the 1998 town centre bombing, has been broadly, if cautiously, welcomed. "
DCC Tonge said the investigation had gathered new momentum, and he expressed hope that the culprits could still be brought before the courts.
The senior officer, who had been called in following the controversy over Police Ombudsman, Nula O'Loan's damning report into the handling of the bomb probe, had earlier on Thursday last presented his findings to the Policing Board.
Delivering his report, DCC Tonge, who had been aided by Detective Chief Inspector Clifford Evans and Detective Chief Superintendent Philip Jones, praised the PSNI and associated agencies as being "helpful and constructive" in terms of moving the investigation forward.
He said, too, that there had been co-operation between police north and south of the border.
And he went on: "There's no hiding the fact we have been able to open doors that, perhaps, in the past would not quite have been so open. I'm pleased to say I have not had a blockage in any area. Every request made has been granted."
However, while the senior officer in charge of the overall investigation, Sam Kincaid, welcomed DCC Tonge's report and tagged it "professional and effective", he claimed there was still much more work to be done.
'Enthusiasm'
The assistant chief constable also said the Merseyside team had found the ongoing investigation to be "live and viable" and they had commended the PSNI "for having the enthusiasm to take things forward".
He went on: "There is a huge commitment and enthusiasm from our officers to bringing this inquiry to a successful conclusion.
"There is tremendous professionalism being shown, not just by the 24 detectives working full-time on the investigation under Detective Chief
Superintendent Norman Baxter, but by officers working on linked inquiries, our colleagues in An Garda Siochana, and those from the intelligence services.
"All of us are focused on the same aim, of bringing those responsible for carrying out the Omagh outrage to justice.
"I want to reassure the families of those who died or were injured in the Omagh bombing that the PSNI is committed to pursuing those who committed this atrocity vigorously. They can be confident the investigation will be managed in the most professional way."
Michael Gallagher; who led the Victims Group delegation to the briefing, said he hoped DCC Tonge's confidence was not misplaced and that there would be results.
But he added: "It is coming to the fifth anniversary of the incident and the families feel weary that not one person has been charged with murder in Omagh."
Upbeat
On a more upbeat note, Mr. Gallagher said DCC Tonge and his team were very capable, and he said the group had also been gladdened by the significant progress made in forensics since 1998.
"Together with the new systems put in place by the Merseyside team, the advances will permit police to better tackle their murder inquiries," he insisted.
But Mr. Gallagher also noted his dismay that the report, originally due in November 2002, into the claimed Garda failure to act on intelligence relating to republican dissidents had still not been furnished.
Welcoming DCC Tonge's report, West Tyrone MLA, Joe Byrne, said it was "both positive and constructive" and one which underlined that "a more professional and rigorous investigation" was underway.
Mr. Byrne continued: "The Policing Board has been assured that all relevant intelligent sources and other lines of inquiry, including the most up-to-date DNA and forensic evidence possibilities, are being maximised.
"Better detective investigation systems are now in place, too and it is now imperative that all North/South investigative possibilities are also
maximised at all levels."
And Mr. Byrne revealed: "The police have confirmed that it is their intention to appoint on a seconded basis a senior officer from an external police service as a deputy to the SIO for the Omagh inquiry.
"The developments over the last year and the safeguards in place for the future can maintain and develop confidence in the murder inquiry and in the opportunities to bring the guilty to justice."
By Terry Patterson
THE briefing by Merseyside Deputy Chief Constable Mike Tonge updating the Omagh Victims Support Group on the state of the ongoing police investigation into the 1998 town centre bombing, has been broadly, if cautiously, welcomed. "
DCC Tonge said the investigation had gathered new momentum, and he expressed hope that the culprits could still be brought before the courts.
The senior officer, who had been called in following the controversy over Police Ombudsman, Nula O'Loan's damning report into the handling of the bomb probe, had earlier on Thursday last presented his findings to the Policing Board.
Delivering his report, DCC Tonge, who had been aided by Detective Chief Inspector Clifford Evans and Detective Chief Superintendent Philip Jones, praised the PSNI and associated agencies as being "helpful and constructive" in terms of moving the investigation forward.
He said, too, that there had been co-operation between police north and south of the border.
And he went on: "There's no hiding the fact we have been able to open doors that, perhaps, in the past would not quite have been so open. I'm pleased to say I have not had a blockage in any area. Every request made has been granted."
However, while the senior officer in charge of the overall investigation, Sam Kincaid, welcomed DCC Tonge's report and tagged it "professional and effective", he claimed there was still much more work to be done.
'Enthusiasm'
The assistant chief constable also said the Merseyside team had found the ongoing investigation to be "live and viable" and they had commended the PSNI "for having the enthusiasm to take things forward".
He went on: "There is a huge commitment and enthusiasm from our officers to bringing this inquiry to a successful conclusion.
"There is tremendous professionalism being shown, not just by the 24 detectives working full-time on the investigation under Detective Chief
Superintendent Norman Baxter, but by officers working on linked inquiries, our colleagues in An Garda Siochana, and those from the intelligence services.
"All of us are focused on the same aim, of bringing those responsible for carrying out the Omagh outrage to justice.
"I want to reassure the families of those who died or were injured in the Omagh bombing that the PSNI is committed to pursuing those who committed this atrocity vigorously. They can be confident the investigation will be managed in the most professional way."
Michael Gallagher; who led the Victims Group delegation to the briefing, said he hoped DCC Tonge's confidence was not misplaced and that there would be results.
But he added: "It is coming to the fifth anniversary of the incident and the families feel weary that not one person has been charged with murder in Omagh."
Upbeat
On a more upbeat note, Mr. Gallagher said DCC Tonge and his team were very capable, and he said the group had also been gladdened by the significant progress made in forensics since 1998.
"Together with the new systems put in place by the Merseyside team, the advances will permit police to better tackle their murder inquiries," he insisted.
But Mr. Gallagher also noted his dismay that the report, originally due in November 2002, into the claimed Garda failure to act on intelligence relating to republican dissidents had still not been furnished.
Welcoming DCC Tonge's report, West Tyrone MLA, Joe Byrne, said it was "both positive and constructive" and one which underlined that "a more professional and rigorous investigation" was underway.
Mr. Byrne continued: "The Policing Board has been assured that all relevant intelligent sources and other lines of inquiry, including the most up-to-date DNA and forensic evidence possibilities, are being maximised.
"Better detective investigation systems are now in place, too and it is now imperative that all North/South investigative possibilities are also
maximised at all levels."
And Mr. Byrne revealed: "The police have confirmed that it is their intention to appoint on a seconded basis a senior officer from an external police service as a deputy to the SIO for the Omagh inquiry.
"The developments over the last year and the safeguards in place for the future can maintain and develop confidence in the murder inquiry and in the opportunities to bring the guilty to justice."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1604
Published Date: 10-Apr-03
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