OMAGH: NEW HUNT FOR BOMBERS
OMAGH: NEW HUNT FOR BOMBERS
By DONNA CARTON
Flanagan calls in crack team of detectives
RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan has launched a fresh bid to catch the Omagh bombers.
He has ordered a major review of the investigation and drafted in a special team of detectives.
And he admitted yesterday he knew who carried out the atrocity but was so far unable to bring them to justice.
Sir Ronnie pledged the review would be "thorough and detailed".
He said the relatives of the 29 people killed in the Real IRA blast in August 1998 "deserved nothing less".
He praised the investigation led by Chief Supt Eric Anderson as being of "the highest order" and promised: "We will not give up."
The new team will spend two months re-examining the murder inquiry in a bid to ensure nothing has been missed.
Sir Ronnie described it as "an application of fresh minds".
He added: "We will continue the quest to bring these people to justice. We believe we know the identities of those responsible for the Omagh bomb, but putting that belief in a framework of evidence that a court would accept is what we are continuing to endeavour to do. We'll not give up in that quest."
The review is the first in Northern Ireland to be carried out under guidelines set out by the Association of Chief Police Officers.
Review team boss Chief Superintendent Brian McVicker stressed that his appointment was not a criticism of Chief Supt Anderson.
Chief Supt Anderson has not been stood down and continues his bid to catch the killers.
Officers from Greater Manchester and the Metropolitan Police, including those who reviewed the Jill Dando killing, have already advised the detectives.
Sir Ronnie praised the original investigation as being "of the highest order".
"We want to be absolutely satisfied beyond any doubt there are no avenues left unexplored."
He added: "It is desperately difficult. We have very good intelligence, but intelligence in a liberal democracy does not equal evidence that can be presented before a court.
"What we are striving to do is to translate that intelligence into evidence that a court would accept.
"It is frustrating for all our officers who have worked in such a dedicated way, but will not give up."
All the relatives of the 29 people murdered by the Real IRA have been informed of the move.
The review team will be based at Antrim RUC station.
More than 2,000 people have been interviewed and more than 3,000 statements taken by detectives.
Police have identified at least seven of the men they believe planned and earned out the attack.
At least two and maybe three of those who were directly involved in the outrage have been linked to terrorist incidents this year.
The review is expected to last two months but relatives fear it could be a prelude to the scaling down of the Omagh investigation.
Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Adrian was killed, said: "The whole world knows what happened but people find it inconceivable nobody has been brought to justice. It seems to make a mockery of law and order."
One man is to stand trial in Dublin next year in connection with the atrocity.
Colm Murphy, 48, of Belleek, Co Armagh, and who owns a pub in Dundalk, is on �100,000 bail after being charged with conspiracy to cause the Omagh bombing and membership of an illegal organisation. His trial is due to start in Dublin early next year.
By DONNA CARTON
Flanagan calls in crack team of detectives
RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan has launched a fresh bid to catch the Omagh bombers.
He has ordered a major review of the investigation and drafted in a special team of detectives.
And he admitted yesterday he knew who carried out the atrocity but was so far unable to bring them to justice.
Sir Ronnie pledged the review would be "thorough and detailed".
He said the relatives of the 29 people killed in the Real IRA blast in August 1998 "deserved nothing less".
He praised the investigation led by Chief Supt Eric Anderson as being of "the highest order" and promised: "We will not give up."
The new team will spend two months re-examining the murder inquiry in a bid to ensure nothing has been missed.
Sir Ronnie described it as "an application of fresh minds".
He added: "We will continue the quest to bring these people to justice. We believe we know the identities of those responsible for the Omagh bomb, but putting that belief in a framework of evidence that a court would accept is what we are continuing to endeavour to do. We'll not give up in that quest."
The review is the first in Northern Ireland to be carried out under guidelines set out by the Association of Chief Police Officers.
Review team boss Chief Superintendent Brian McVicker stressed that his appointment was not a criticism of Chief Supt Anderson.
Chief Supt Anderson has not been stood down and continues his bid to catch the killers.
Officers from Greater Manchester and the Metropolitan Police, including those who reviewed the Jill Dando killing, have already advised the detectives.
Sir Ronnie praised the original investigation as being "of the highest order".
"We want to be absolutely satisfied beyond any doubt there are no avenues left unexplored."
He added: "It is desperately difficult. We have very good intelligence, but intelligence in a liberal democracy does not equal evidence that can be presented before a court.
"What we are striving to do is to translate that intelligence into evidence that a court would accept.
"It is frustrating for all our officers who have worked in such a dedicated way, but will not give up."
All the relatives of the 29 people murdered by the Real IRA have been informed of the move.
The review team will be based at Antrim RUC station.
More than 2,000 people have been interviewed and more than 3,000 statements taken by detectives.
Police have identified at least seven of the men they believe planned and earned out the attack.
At least two and maybe three of those who were directly involved in the outrage have been linked to terrorist incidents this year.
The review is expected to last two months but relatives fear it could be a prelude to the scaling down of the Omagh investigation.
Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Adrian was killed, said: "The whole world knows what happened but people find it inconceivable nobody has been brought to justice. It seems to make a mockery of law and order."
One man is to stand trial in Dublin next year in connection with the atrocity.
Colm Murphy, 48, of Belleek, Co Armagh, and who owns a pub in Dundalk, is on �100,000 bail after being charged with conspiracy to cause the Omagh bombing and membership of an illegal organisation. His trial is due to start in Dublin early next year.
Further Information
Publisher: THE MIRROR
Ref: TM/102
Published Date: 22-Apr-00
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