SECURITY MINISTER REJECTS PLEA FOR FULL CROSS-BORDER INQUIRY
Security Minister rejects plea for full cross-border inquiry
REPRESENTATIVES of some of the Omagh bomb bereaved families have called on the London and Dublin governments to grant the families a full cross-border public inquiry.
Speaking after the fifth anniversary memorial service on Friday, Caroline Martin, whose sister, Esther Gibson, was killed in the atrocity, thanked all those who helped on the street in the immediate aftermath of August 15, 1998. She thanked the emergency services and the general public for "their courage in the face of such wickedness and evil".
"To date we have had six investigations into Omagh without conviction and we now want the truth about what happened on that fateful day," she said.
Northern Ireland Security Minister, Jane Kennedy, Irish junior minister, Noel Ahern and Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid, who heads the Omagh investigation, were present at the service.
Speaking after the service, Ms. Kennedy said that all would want to listen to what the families were saying.
"You will be aware of the decision announced last week made by Paul Murphy that we want to assist the civil case, but my focus is on the criminal inquiry, the bringing to justice those people who were responsible for this atrocity."
When asked if she accepted that a public inquiry might be necessary to get these questions answered, Ms. Kennedy said: "I don't actually. I am regularly briefed by the Police Service of Northern Ireland on the progress of their investigations and I am encouraged by what I am being told".
Ms. Kennedy said that it has been a very frustrating time for the police and for the families and for those who want to see the individuals responsible brought to justice.
"Despite the frustrations the police investigation continues, it is very vigorous, it remains one of the largest investigations within the UK and I trust that that investigation will bear fruit," she said.
Justice
Irish junior minister, Noel Ahern, said his government was committed in bringing those responsible for the atrocity to justice.
"Obviously there are people out there with information, and it is a matter of regret that the people haven't come forward with the information which would allow the authorities on both sides of the border to put the perpetrators behind bars," he said.
Mr. Michael Gallagher, chairman of the Omagh Victims Group, whose son Aiden was killed in the blast, hoped that they would not have to wait years for the truth to be found out and said there were real questions which needed to be answered.
"Given the degree of penetration that security services had into dissident organisations, we believe that all of that weight has not been brought to bear on this investigation, and that's why we made that statement today.
"I would call on all politicians particularly those that in the past have fought for justice for causes in the North to come behind the Omagh families.
"We are non-political and we would ask for across-the-board support," he said.
Mr. Gallagher noted that the gardai had made significant arrests and had been very effective in closing these people down but, he said: "The problem is that we have never seen one single conviction of the bomb team that carried out the bomb in Omagh and that's what we are asking for."
REPRESENTATIVES of some of the Omagh bomb bereaved families have called on the London and Dublin governments to grant the families a full cross-border public inquiry.
Speaking after the fifth anniversary memorial service on Friday, Caroline Martin, whose sister, Esther Gibson, was killed in the atrocity, thanked all those who helped on the street in the immediate aftermath of August 15, 1998. She thanked the emergency services and the general public for "their courage in the face of such wickedness and evil".
"To date we have had six investigations into Omagh without conviction and we now want the truth about what happened on that fateful day," she said.
Northern Ireland Security Minister, Jane Kennedy, Irish junior minister, Noel Ahern and Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid, who heads the Omagh investigation, were present at the service.
Speaking after the service, Ms. Kennedy said that all would want to listen to what the families were saying.
"You will be aware of the decision announced last week made by Paul Murphy that we want to assist the civil case, but my focus is on the criminal inquiry, the bringing to justice those people who were responsible for this atrocity."
When asked if she accepted that a public inquiry might be necessary to get these questions answered, Ms. Kennedy said: "I don't actually. I am regularly briefed by the Police Service of Northern Ireland on the progress of their investigations and I am encouraged by what I am being told".
Ms. Kennedy said that it has been a very frustrating time for the police and for the families and for those who want to see the individuals responsible brought to justice.
"Despite the frustrations the police investigation continues, it is very vigorous, it remains one of the largest investigations within the UK and I trust that that investigation will bear fruit," she said.
Justice
Irish junior minister, Noel Ahern, said his government was committed in bringing those responsible for the atrocity to justice.
"Obviously there are people out there with information, and it is a matter of regret that the people haven't come forward with the information which would allow the authorities on both sides of the border to put the perpetrators behind bars," he said.
Mr. Michael Gallagher, chairman of the Omagh Victims Group, whose son Aiden was killed in the blast, hoped that they would not have to wait years for the truth to be found out and said there were real questions which needed to be answered.
"Given the degree of penetration that security services had into dissident organisations, we believe that all of that weight has not been brought to bear on this investigation, and that's why we made that statement today.
"I would call on all politicians particularly those that in the past have fought for justice for causes in the North to come behind the Omagh families.
"We are non-political and we would ask for across-the-board support," he said.
Mr. Gallagher noted that the gardai had made significant arrests and had been very effective in closing these people down but, he said: "The problem is that we have never seen one single conviction of the bomb team that carried out the bomb in Omagh and that's what we are asking for."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1655
Published Date: 21-Aug-03
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