SINN FEIN HELP SOUGHT IN OMAGH BOMB PROBE
Sinn Fein help sought in Omagh bomb probe
The police office in charge of the investigation into the Omagh bomb has called on Sinn Fein to cooperate with the inquiry into the 1998 atrocity.
Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter, who has led the investigation for four years, has urged senior representatives in the republican party to back the hunt for all those involved in the dissident republican terrorist attack that killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins.
Although Sinn Fein has been accused of refusing to aid the investigation into the Omagh bomb, detectives believe that the party's recent decision to support policing in Northern Ireland could prove to be a major turning point.
Chief Supt Baxter wants Sinn Fein to declare publicly that anyone with information about the bombing should contact the inquiry team.
So far, only one man has been charged with the murders. South Armagh electrician, Sean Hoey (37), from Jonesborough, is awaiting a judge's verdict after standing trial in Belfast.
A PSNI spokesperson said: "In light of the new attitude towards policing in a substantial part of the republican community, the senior investigating officer in the Omagh bomb investigation is examining the possibility of requesting the assistance of public representatives in the south Armagh and Dundalk areas to encourage people to come forward with information."
West Tyrone UUP Assembly election candidate, Derek Hussey, said he 'welcomed and supported' Chief Supt Baxter's call.
Mr Hussey said: "here has been a clear move on policing from Sinn Fein, let us see if their actions follow their words and let us hope they will now call on their supporters that have knowledge of this attack to come forward.
"I would also hope that the IRA units within the area, who clearly would have had knowledge of the operation and the persons involved, will pass that intelligence to the police to allow this matter to be brought to a conclusion where the perpetrators are set behind bars for many years."
The UUP candidate also encouraged the police to contact Sinn Fein in West Tyrone to ensure that all available information would be made available to the investigating team.
The police office in charge of the investigation into the Omagh bomb has called on Sinn Fein to cooperate with the inquiry into the 1998 atrocity.
Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter, who has led the investigation for four years, has urged senior representatives in the republican party to back the hunt for all those involved in the dissident republican terrorist attack that killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins.
Although Sinn Fein has been accused of refusing to aid the investigation into the Omagh bomb, detectives believe that the party's recent decision to support policing in Northern Ireland could prove to be a major turning point.
Chief Supt Baxter wants Sinn Fein to declare publicly that anyone with information about the bombing should contact the inquiry team.
So far, only one man has been charged with the murders. South Armagh electrician, Sean Hoey (37), from Jonesborough, is awaiting a judge's verdict after standing trial in Belfast.
A PSNI spokesperson said: "In light of the new attitude towards policing in a substantial part of the republican community, the senior investigating officer in the Omagh bomb investigation is examining the possibility of requesting the assistance of public representatives in the south Armagh and Dundalk areas to encourage people to come forward with information."
West Tyrone UUP Assembly election candidate, Derek Hussey, said he 'welcomed and supported' Chief Supt Baxter's call.
Mr Hussey said: "here has been a clear move on policing from Sinn Fein, let us see if their actions follow their words and let us hope they will now call on their supporters that have knowledge of this attack to come forward.
"I would also hope that the IRA units within the area, who clearly would have had knowledge of the operation and the persons involved, will pass that intelligence to the police to allow this matter to be brought to a conclusion where the perpetrators are set behind bars for many years."
The UUP candidate also encouraged the police to contact Sinn Fein in West Tyrone to ensure that all available information would be made available to the investigating team.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1874
Published Date: 15-Feb-07
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