NAME THEM
NAME THEM
By DONNA CARTON
Pressure on MP's to expose Omagh bomber and the punishment bosses
THE Mirror knows the identities of the Omagh bomber and the five terrorists who run Northern Ireland's ruthless punishment squads.
We have a list of names but are unable to print them because of legal constraints.
However, pressure is growing on MPs to expose the paramilitary godfathers in the Commons today. And the message to MPs this morning from a bereaved Omagh relative is: "Be brave, name the bomber, name the terror chiefs."
As politicians prepared to press on with a "name and shame" bid during Northern Ireland Questions this afternoon, the uncle of a young woman killed in the Real IRA atrocity last August called for "courage and conviction".
Politicians had planned to name the builder of the car bomb which killed 29 people but were urged to think again by RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan and Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam.
Conservative MP Andrew Hunter plans to reveal the identities of six alleged paramilitaries - three loyalists and three republicans - but last night he was still taking legal advice on whether to name those behind the Omagh bombing.
Families Against Intimidation and Terror spokesman Vincent McKenna. who is working with Mr Hunter, said "we will take this right to the wire and make a decision ON Omagh after taking as much legal advice as we can '
Sir Ronnie said that naming terrorist suspects could be "prejudicial to bringing before the courts those involved in such crimes"
He said there were "continuing grounds for optimism" that the Omagh bombers would be caught.
But Oliver Gibson, whose niece Esther, 36, was killed while on a shopping trip to Omagh on August 15 last year, said the time had come to expose those "on the run from justice."
Esther, a Sunday School teacher, was due to marry fianc�e Kenneth Hawkes this July, on her 37th birthday.
Last night Mr Gibson accused the government of forgetting about the victims.
Victims
"My message to them is-do what you said you would do. Are you men or mice?
"The victims and their relatives of Omagh and other atrocities, are sick and disgusted that terrorists have so many hiding places.
"Those who know, should name names. It should have been done long ago."
Detectives hunting the Omagh killers believe they know at least six men belonging to the Real IRA they suspect were directly involved in the atrocity.
Although they have questioned at least 20, no one has been charged because of insufficient evidence.
Mo Mowlam, who was in Omagh yesterday, said: "The primary duty of politicians now is to do everything we can to help the RUC bring the bombers to justice.
"What Mr Hunter is proposing to do will have the reverse effect.
"I have had it confirmed, on the best possible legal advice, that it could prejudice any eventual prosecution, the police investigation and prevent justice being done.
"That would be an insult to the memory of those who died and to the deep commitment shown by the RUC team investigating the atrocity."
Six behind the terrorism
The Omagh bomb maker:
Former IRA activist, now second in command in the Real IRA. This ruthless killer is under surveillance by the Garda Special Branch,
The middle-aged, married father who lives on a Dundalk estate is a republican hardliner who helped set up the Real IRA when the IRA called a ceasefire in 1994.
He is wanted in Northern Ireland for the murder of two off-duty RUC men.
The IRA Godfather: In his 30s, he is thought to be Officer Commanding of the IRA in Belfast's Ardoyne area. He is widely known in republican circles as a merciless terrorist who allegedly ordered the killing of north Belfast man Andrew Kearney with whom he'd had an argument after a card game.
The IRA gunman: Trigger man in the particularly brutal beating and shooting of Andrew Kearney.
The IRA beatings boss: Allegedly orchestrates the street gangs who prowl the nationalist estates of south Belfast. He was freed from prison under the Good Friday Agreement.
The 28-year-old selects victims for IRA punishment and organises the time, place and method
Since his release from jail he has orchestrated a series of severe assaults on an almost nightly basis in south Belfast.
The UVF beating boss: Joined the loyalist terror group four years ago but rose in the ranks. He is commander of the Antrim Brigade and is feared throughout the loyalist estates in the town.
The UVF Killer: Was jailed for the murder of a Catholic but on his release carried out beatings for the UDA. Recently fled Northern Ireland following death threats.
By DONNA CARTON
Pressure on MP's to expose Omagh bomber and the punishment bosses
THE Mirror knows the identities of the Omagh bomber and the five terrorists who run Northern Ireland's ruthless punishment squads.
We have a list of names but are unable to print them because of legal constraints.
However, pressure is growing on MPs to expose the paramilitary godfathers in the Commons today. And the message to MPs this morning from a bereaved Omagh relative is: "Be brave, name the bomber, name the terror chiefs."
As politicians prepared to press on with a "name and shame" bid during Northern Ireland Questions this afternoon, the uncle of a young woman killed in the Real IRA atrocity last August called for "courage and conviction".
Politicians had planned to name the builder of the car bomb which killed 29 people but were urged to think again by RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan and Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam.
Conservative MP Andrew Hunter plans to reveal the identities of six alleged paramilitaries - three loyalists and three republicans - but last night he was still taking legal advice on whether to name those behind the Omagh bombing.
Families Against Intimidation and Terror spokesman Vincent McKenna. who is working with Mr Hunter, said "we will take this right to the wire and make a decision ON Omagh after taking as much legal advice as we can '
Sir Ronnie said that naming terrorist suspects could be "prejudicial to bringing before the courts those involved in such crimes"
He said there were "continuing grounds for optimism" that the Omagh bombers would be caught.
But Oliver Gibson, whose niece Esther, 36, was killed while on a shopping trip to Omagh on August 15 last year, said the time had come to expose those "on the run from justice."
Esther, a Sunday School teacher, was due to marry fianc�e Kenneth Hawkes this July, on her 37th birthday.
Last night Mr Gibson accused the government of forgetting about the victims.
Victims
"My message to them is-do what you said you would do. Are you men or mice?
"The victims and their relatives of Omagh and other atrocities, are sick and disgusted that terrorists have so many hiding places.
"Those who know, should name names. It should have been done long ago."
Detectives hunting the Omagh killers believe they know at least six men belonging to the Real IRA they suspect were directly involved in the atrocity.
Although they have questioned at least 20, no one has been charged because of insufficient evidence.
Mo Mowlam, who was in Omagh yesterday, said: "The primary duty of politicians now is to do everything we can to help the RUC bring the bombers to justice.
"What Mr Hunter is proposing to do will have the reverse effect.
"I have had it confirmed, on the best possible legal advice, that it could prejudice any eventual prosecution, the police investigation and prevent justice being done.
"That would be an insult to the memory of those who died and to the deep commitment shown by the RUC team investigating the atrocity."
Six behind the terrorism
The Omagh bomb maker:
Former IRA activist, now second in command in the Real IRA. This ruthless killer is under surveillance by the Garda Special Branch,
The middle-aged, married father who lives on a Dundalk estate is a republican hardliner who helped set up the Real IRA when the IRA called a ceasefire in 1994.
He is wanted in Northern Ireland for the murder of two off-duty RUC men.
The IRA Godfather: In his 30s, he is thought to be Officer Commanding of the IRA in Belfast's Ardoyne area. He is widely known in republican circles as a merciless terrorist who allegedly ordered the killing of north Belfast man Andrew Kearney with whom he'd had an argument after a card game.
The IRA gunman: Trigger man in the particularly brutal beating and shooting of Andrew Kearney.
The IRA beatings boss: Allegedly orchestrates the street gangs who prowl the nationalist estates of south Belfast. He was freed from prison under the Good Friday Agreement.
The 28-year-old selects victims for IRA punishment and organises the time, place and method
Since his release from jail he has orchestrated a series of severe assaults on an almost nightly basis in south Belfast.
The UVF beating boss: Joined the loyalist terror group four years ago but rose in the ranks. He is commander of the Antrim Brigade and is feared throughout the loyalist estates in the town.
The UVF Killer: Was jailed for the murder of a Catholic but on his release carried out beatings for the UDA. Recently fled Northern Ireland following death threats.
Further Information
Publisher: THE MIRROR
Ref: TM/083
Published Date: 20-Jan-99
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