ARRESTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE SAYS O'MALLEY
Arrests should have been made, says O'Malley
by Mary Dundon
A MAJOR mistake was made in not arresting the main Omagh bombing suspects on Saturday night, former Justice Minister Des O'Malley declared last night after it emerged that some of the main suspects are no longer in the jurisdiction.
Justice Minister John O'Donoghue confirmed this at a press conference to announce the toughest security package to date aimed at combating terrorism in Ireland. Minister O'Donoghue did not need to wait for yesterday's new anti-terrorist laws to move against the main Omagh bombing suspects, Deputy O'Malley said.
"These people could have been arrested and charged with membership of an illegal organisation under existing legislation and I cannot see why this did not happen," he added.
"Some of the paramilitary prisoners released may be among the perpetrators of this crime. And a stop must be put to any further releases promised under the Good Friday Agreement for at least a month," the former Progressive Democrat leader said.
"Some of the main suspects in Saturday's bombings appeared to be here up to very recently and a major mistake was made in not arresting them under the present legislation," Deputy O'Malley said.
Deputy O'Malley gave a cautious welcome to the strong anti-terrorist measures announced by O'Donoghue and said he would not favour the introduction of internment unless this package happens to fail.
Independent Dail deputy Jackie Healy-Rae also said the main suspects behind the horrific Omagh bombing should have been rounded up immediately and taken off the streets on Saturday night.
O'Donoghue's fellow South Kerry TD said no matter how harsh the new anti-terrorist laws are, the case for rounding up the main suspects immediately was very strong.
Former Alliance Party leader John Cushnahan said while it would have been preferable if the Government had moved quicker to arrest the main Omagh bombing suspects, it is vital that democrats stick together at this time.
Courtesy of Irish Examiner
by Mary Dundon
A MAJOR mistake was made in not arresting the main Omagh bombing suspects on Saturday night, former Justice Minister Des O'Malley declared last night after it emerged that some of the main suspects are no longer in the jurisdiction.
Justice Minister John O'Donoghue confirmed this at a press conference to announce the toughest security package to date aimed at combating terrorism in Ireland. Minister O'Donoghue did not need to wait for yesterday's new anti-terrorist laws to move against the main Omagh bombing suspects, Deputy O'Malley said.
"These people could have been arrested and charged with membership of an illegal organisation under existing legislation and I cannot see why this did not happen," he added.
"Some of the paramilitary prisoners released may be among the perpetrators of this crime. And a stop must be put to any further releases promised under the Good Friday Agreement for at least a month," the former Progressive Democrat leader said.
"Some of the main suspects in Saturday's bombings appeared to be here up to very recently and a major mistake was made in not arresting them under the present legislation," Deputy O'Malley said.
Deputy O'Malley gave a cautious welcome to the strong anti-terrorist measures announced by O'Donoghue and said he would not favour the introduction of internment unless this package happens to fail.
Independent Dail deputy Jackie Healy-Rae also said the main suspects behind the horrific Omagh bombing should have been rounded up immediately and taken off the streets on Saturday night.
O'Donoghue's fellow South Kerry TD said no matter how harsh the new anti-terrorist laws are, the case for rounding up the main suspects immediately was very strong.
Former Alliance Party leader John Cushnahan said while it would have been preferable if the Government had moved quicker to arrest the main Omagh bombing suspects, it is vital that democrats stick together at this time.
Courtesy of Irish Examiner
Further Information
Publisher: THE EXAMINER
Ref: TEX/115
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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