OMAGH SUPPORT FOR CLAUDY FAMILIES CALL FOR JUSTICE AND TRUTH
Omagh support for Claudy families' call for 'justice and truth'
by Louise Doyle
Findings of a report into the 1972 Claudy bombing have left local people asking more questions.
The disclosure report of the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman, Al Hutchinson, into the IRA atrocity, which killed nine people and injured a further 30, brought reaction from Omagh Support and Self Help Group stalwart, Michael Gallagher, who said he was 'disgusted' at the report findings.
He said: "We, the Omagh victims' group fully support the Claudy families' call for justice and truth. We are disgusted that once again the real victims of the Northern Ireland troubles have been wronged."
Mr Gallagher's views came following last week's calls for a fresh investigation into the bombing after it emerged the police, British government and Catholic church allegedly conspired to protect the prime suspect, Rev James Chesney, a Catholic priest.
Mr Gallagher has called for accountability from those at the head of the Church and country where the three-car bomb attack shattered the tranquil village of Claudy at the height of the troubles.
"Those in charge of our country and the Catholic Church have colluded in order to prevent the truth emerging and, in doing so, have obstructed the course of justice taking place. We wholeheartedly support their call for further action," said Mr Gallagher.
Meanwhile, UUP spokesperson on victims' issues, Strabane district councillor, Derek Hussey, has called for the 'real truth'.
With the support of City of Derry council, Alderman Mary Hamilton, Mr Hussey said: "It's high time that all involved in our past came forward with the real truth. If we are to move on the truth must prevail."
Adding he was shocked to learn the victims of the Claudy bomb and their families have been deliberately denied justice, Mr Hussey said:
"Protestants and Catholics alike were killed, maimed and bereaved in this atrocity and our thoughts are with everyone.
"It is horrifying that certain actions of police, the Secretary of State and hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church brought us to this place. That being said, we cannot forget who the perpetrators of this vile act were," he said.
The report, which was announced last week by Mr Hutchinson, has also pulled into question why the issue of apology has not been mirrored as in the response to the recent Saville report findings.
Mr Hussey said: "Whilst I am struggling to comprehend how collusion on this level could have been deemed acceptable, I am also deeply unhappy by Cardinal Brady's failure to apologise to the victims given the complicity of his own Church's hierarchy at the time.
"In the light of responses issues following the Saville inquiry, it is surely and particularly adequate.
"Police and the government have demonstrated honesty and transparency with the Ombudsman in their approach to the investigation of the Claudy atrocity and it is time that the Republican movement did likewise. "
by Louise Doyle
Findings of a report into the 1972 Claudy bombing have left local people asking more questions.
The disclosure report of the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman, Al Hutchinson, into the IRA atrocity, which killed nine people and injured a further 30, brought reaction from Omagh Support and Self Help Group stalwart, Michael Gallagher, who said he was 'disgusted' at the report findings.
He said: "We, the Omagh victims' group fully support the Claudy families' call for justice and truth. We are disgusted that once again the real victims of the Northern Ireland troubles have been wronged."
Mr Gallagher's views came following last week's calls for a fresh investigation into the bombing after it emerged the police, British government and Catholic church allegedly conspired to protect the prime suspect, Rev James Chesney, a Catholic priest.
Mr Gallagher has called for accountability from those at the head of the Church and country where the three-car bomb attack shattered the tranquil village of Claudy at the height of the troubles.
"Those in charge of our country and the Catholic Church have colluded in order to prevent the truth emerging and, in doing so, have obstructed the course of justice taking place. We wholeheartedly support their call for further action," said Mr Gallagher.
Meanwhile, UUP spokesperson on victims' issues, Strabane district councillor, Derek Hussey, has called for the 'real truth'.
With the support of City of Derry council, Alderman Mary Hamilton, Mr Hussey said: "It's high time that all involved in our past came forward with the real truth. If we are to move on the truth must prevail."
Adding he was shocked to learn the victims of the Claudy bomb and their families have been deliberately denied justice, Mr Hussey said:
"Protestants and Catholics alike were killed, maimed and bereaved in this atrocity and our thoughts are with everyone.
"It is horrifying that certain actions of police, the Secretary of State and hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church brought us to this place. That being said, we cannot forget who the perpetrators of this vile act were," he said.
The report, which was announced last week by Mr Hutchinson, has also pulled into question why the issue of apology has not been mirrored as in the response to the recent Saville report findings.
Mr Hussey said: "Whilst I am struggling to comprehend how collusion on this level could have been deemed acceptable, I am also deeply unhappy by Cardinal Brady's failure to apologise to the victims given the complicity of his own Church's hierarchy at the time.
"In the light of responses issues following the Saville inquiry, it is surely and particularly adequate.
"Police and the government have demonstrated honesty and transparency with the Ombudsman in their approach to the investigation of the Claudy atrocity and it is time that the Republican movement did likewise. "
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/2001
Published Date: 02-Sep-10
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