OMAGH CASE MUST BE ROBUSTLY INVESTIGATED - BUCHANAN
Omagh case must be 'robustly investigated' - Buchanan
West Tyrone DUP MLA, and Member of the Policing Board, Mr Tom Buchanan, has expressed great disappointment at the handling of the Omagh Bomb investigation by senior RUC officers.
Speaking after Mr Justice Weir's long-awaited verdict, on Thursday last, he said: "We must first of all acknowledge the pain and disappointment this outcome has for the victims of the Omagh atrocity, who were awaiting a sense of closure to this ongoing investigation."
He continued: "While we acknowledge mistakes have been made by senior police personnel it is important to point out the excellent work and commitment by members of the RUC/PSNI on the event of this atrocity and the good work done by many members throughout the investigation.
"However, it is important to note that while the victims of the atrocity are currently in a vacuum and are angry that after nine years still no closure has been brought to this matter, there are still people within the communities who have some knowledge of those responsible for carrying out this carnage yet to date have failed to come forward with that information.
"By their silence they are condoning and contributing to the victims' ongoing sorrow.
"We must also remember that many other families in West Tyrone and throughout Northern Ireland are in the same situation as the Omagh victims who over the past years of republican atrocities have lost loved ones and are still awaiting the same justice as the Omagh victims."
He concluded: "This is now a matter which must be robustly investigated by the Policing Board whose responsibility it is to scrutinise and hold the PSNI to account."
West Tyrone DUP MLA, and Member of the Policing Board, Mr Tom Buchanan, has expressed great disappointment at the handling of the Omagh Bomb investigation by senior RUC officers.
Speaking after Mr Justice Weir's long-awaited verdict, on Thursday last, he said: "We must first of all acknowledge the pain and disappointment this outcome has for the victims of the Omagh atrocity, who were awaiting a sense of closure to this ongoing investigation."
He continued: "While we acknowledge mistakes have been made by senior police personnel it is important to point out the excellent work and commitment by members of the RUC/PSNI on the event of this atrocity and the good work done by many members throughout the investigation.
"However, it is important to note that while the victims of the atrocity are currently in a vacuum and are angry that after nine years still no closure has been brought to this matter, there are still people within the communities who have some knowledge of those responsible for carrying out this carnage yet to date have failed to come forward with that information.
"By their silence they are condoning and contributing to the victims' ongoing sorrow.
"We must also remember that many other families in West Tyrone and throughout Northern Ireland are in the same situation as the Omagh victims who over the past years of republican atrocities have lost loved ones and are still awaiting the same justice as the Omagh victims."
He concluded: "This is now a matter which must be robustly investigated by the Policing Board whose responsibility it is to scrutinise and hold the PSNI to account."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1904
Published Date: 27-Dec-07
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