GARDAI HIT BACK AT FINE GAEL CRITICISM OVER LACK OF ARRESTS IN BOMBING INVESTIGATION
Gardai hit back at Fine Gael criticism over lack of arrests in bombing investigation
by Kevin Barry
GARDA sources last night hit back at Fine Gael for criticising the lack of arrests in the wake of the Omagh bombing and defended the security forces' role in the investigation to date.
Fine Gael Northern Ireland spokesman Deputy Charlie Flanagan claimed more progress should have been made because the gardai have extensive information on the Real IRA's membership.
But one Garda source said yesterday that such comments, and those made last week by former Progressive Democrats leader Des O'Malley, are "premature."
"It's one thing for the gardai to have names and addresses but you can't go off half-cocked and just pick people up," he said.
The source pointed out that under the present legislation, gardai can only pick up suspects once and hold them for questioning for 48 hours.
"Until you have firm evidence, it would do no good to bring them in," he said.
"Gardai are waiting to see what will emerge from the new legislation, which is supposed to be forthcoming," he added.
The source said security forces in the North would still be awaiting full forensic reports on the bombing.
Information on the suspected bombers has now become increasingly public following a number of leaks from security sources.
Reports yesterday gave supposedly detailed accounts of RIRA's Omagh operation.
It has been suggested that the man who made the bomb is a 32-year-old unemployed electrician who lives in the Inchicore area of Dublin.
He is said to be close to the Dundalk businessman and former IRA quartermaster who is allegedly RIRA leader.
The Inchicore man is believed to have previously worked with the IRA, and is said to have also been responsible for manufacturing the
Canary Wharf and City of London bombs.
The Omagh bomb was made with household fuel oil and fertiliser and fitted with a rudimentary 'timer power unit', according to reports.
It was brought to Omagh in a maroon Vauxhall Cavalier, stolen the previous Thursday by two men formerly associated with the INLA and now aligned to the RIRA. The car was driven to Omagh by two members of RIRA based in South Armagh.
RIRA has continued to suggest that two warnings phoned to UTV, and one to The Samaritans, were designed to minimise the threat to life.
Courtesy of Irish Examiner
by Kevin Barry
GARDA sources last night hit back at Fine Gael for criticising the lack of arrests in the wake of the Omagh bombing and defended the security forces' role in the investigation to date.
Fine Gael Northern Ireland spokesman Deputy Charlie Flanagan claimed more progress should have been made because the gardai have extensive information on the Real IRA's membership.
But one Garda source said yesterday that such comments, and those made last week by former Progressive Democrats leader Des O'Malley, are "premature."
"It's one thing for the gardai to have names and addresses but you can't go off half-cocked and just pick people up," he said.
The source pointed out that under the present legislation, gardai can only pick up suspects once and hold them for questioning for 48 hours.
"Until you have firm evidence, it would do no good to bring them in," he said.
"Gardai are waiting to see what will emerge from the new legislation, which is supposed to be forthcoming," he added.
The source said security forces in the North would still be awaiting full forensic reports on the bombing.
Information on the suspected bombers has now become increasingly public following a number of leaks from security sources.
Reports yesterday gave supposedly detailed accounts of RIRA's Omagh operation.
It has been suggested that the man who made the bomb is a 32-year-old unemployed electrician who lives in the Inchicore area of Dublin.
He is said to be close to the Dundalk businessman and former IRA quartermaster who is allegedly RIRA leader.
The Inchicore man is believed to have previously worked with the IRA, and is said to have also been responsible for manufacturing the
Canary Wharf and City of London bombs.
The Omagh bomb was made with household fuel oil and fertiliser and fitted with a rudimentary 'timer power unit', according to reports.
It was brought to Omagh in a maroon Vauxhall Cavalier, stolen the previous Thursday by two men formerly associated with the INLA and now aligned to the RIRA. The car was driven to Omagh by two members of RIRA based in South Armagh.
RIRA has continued to suggest that two warnings phoned to UTV, and one to The Samaritans, were designed to minimise the threat to life.
Courtesy of Irish Examiner
Further Information
Publisher: THE EXAMINER
Ref: TEX/164
Published Date: 24-Aug-98
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