OMAGH FAMILIES MEET WITH POLICING CHIEF
Omagh families meet with policing chief
FAMILIES of the Omagh bomb victims this week met with the chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Sir Desmond Rea, to discuss various policing issues in relation to the 1998 atrocity.
Among the suggestions made by the Omagh victims' group was that the Policing Board should have a representative present to observe proceedings at the current trial of Sean Gerard Hoey, from Co. Armagh, who faces a series of terrorist charges including 29 counts of murder in relation to the bombing. To date, the Board has relied on press coverage of the trial in keeping up to speed with proceedings.
The court has heard of a number of alleged blunders in the handling of evidence, and the prosecution was forced to accept this week that evidence from two of its key witnesses should be treated "with caution" after a senior police officer admitted asking a colleague to 'beef up' her witness statement.
The families also asked the Policing Board to consider supporting their campaign for a full, cross-border public inquiry into the bombing, and about the possibility of a meeting with MI5 to discuss claims that the intelligence agency knew that the Omagh attack was in the pipeline, but did not inform the RUC.
Speaking after the meeting, which was also attended by Policing Board vice-chairman, Barry Gilligan, Sir Desmond said: "We had an opportunity today to share concerns and listen to what Mr Gallagher and the group had to say to us. We know that they would like to see a public inquiry and they asked us what role the Board could play in respect of that."
Asked whether he was concerned by some of the evidence given by police in the Hoey trial, he said:
"I can't comment on that until the trial is over. The Board will no doubt reflect on what has transpired regardless of what happens from now on in. Our role is to hold the PSNI to account. Michael made a suggestion today that the Board should consider sitting in on the trial to monitor its progress, and I will be taking that back to the Corporate Police Committee."
Mr Gallagher himself welcomed the opportunity to meet with Mr Rea, hailing the meeting as 'very positive and worthwhile'.
He said: "There are some lessons to be learned from the Hoey trial, and we think it would be a worthwhile exercise to have a Policing Board observer in court to see first hand what's happening. I am grateful to Sir Desmond, who has readily taken the suggestion on board.
"The Policing Board is a very important organisation in Northern Ireland and we support the work they are doing in policing. Their visit to Omagh also shows that the Board is prepared to move out of the administrative capital and engage with the wider community in Northern Ireland.
"A public inquiry is most important for the families, and we also asked the Policing Board to use their influence in whatever way possible to facilitate a meeting with MI5. It was a very positive and worthwhile meeting and we are looking forward to seeing how the Board will respond to it," he said.
FAMILIES of the Omagh bomb victims this week met with the chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Sir Desmond Rea, to discuss various policing issues in relation to the 1998 atrocity.
Among the suggestions made by the Omagh victims' group was that the Policing Board should have a representative present to observe proceedings at the current trial of Sean Gerard Hoey, from Co. Armagh, who faces a series of terrorist charges including 29 counts of murder in relation to the bombing. To date, the Board has relied on press coverage of the trial in keeping up to speed with proceedings.
The court has heard of a number of alleged blunders in the handling of evidence, and the prosecution was forced to accept this week that evidence from two of its key witnesses should be treated "with caution" after a senior police officer admitted asking a colleague to 'beef up' her witness statement.
The families also asked the Policing Board to consider supporting their campaign for a full, cross-border public inquiry into the bombing, and about the possibility of a meeting with MI5 to discuss claims that the intelligence agency knew that the Omagh attack was in the pipeline, but did not inform the RUC.
Speaking after the meeting, which was also attended by Policing Board vice-chairman, Barry Gilligan, Sir Desmond said: "We had an opportunity today to share concerns and listen to what Mr Gallagher and the group had to say to us. We know that they would like to see a public inquiry and they asked us what role the Board could play in respect of that."
Asked whether he was concerned by some of the evidence given by police in the Hoey trial, he said:
"I can't comment on that until the trial is over. The Board will no doubt reflect on what has transpired regardless of what happens from now on in. Our role is to hold the PSNI to account. Michael made a suggestion today that the Board should consider sitting in on the trial to monitor its progress, and I will be taking that back to the Corporate Police Committee."
Mr Gallagher himself welcomed the opportunity to meet with Mr Rea, hailing the meeting as 'very positive and worthwhile'.
He said: "There are some lessons to be learned from the Hoey trial, and we think it would be a worthwhile exercise to have a Policing Board observer in court to see first hand what's happening. I am grateful to Sir Desmond, who has readily taken the suggestion on board.
"The Policing Board is a very important organisation in Northern Ireland and we support the work they are doing in policing. Their visit to Omagh also shows that the Board is prepared to move out of the administrative capital and engage with the wider community in Northern Ireland.
"A public inquiry is most important for the families, and we also asked the Policing Board to use their influence in whatever way possible to facilitate a meeting with MI5. It was a very positive and worthwhile meeting and we are looking forward to seeing how the Board will respond to it," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1854
Published Date: 19-Oct-06
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