VICTIMS FATHER SEIZE DISSIDENT BANK ACCOUNTS
Victim's father: Seize dissident back accounts
By DEIRDRE O'DONOVAN
FAMILIES of Omagh bomb Victims yesterday urged the Irish government to seize dissident republican funds being held in bank accounts.
Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aiden was one of the 29 people killed in the blast, spoke as Omagh observes a minute's silence today to mark the second anniversary of the atrocity.
Mr Gallagher has been monitoring the activities of dissident groups on the internet.
He said: "They have continued to organise, recruit and try and solicit finance on a worldwide basis.
"One of the accounts that we have identified is an Allied Irish Bank account in Dundalk and one group is advertising for money to be put in this account.
"We think it's ethically wrong in what the bank is doing here.
"Not only does the bank have a responsibility but the government has responsibility."
Last night a spokesman for the Allied Irish Bank in Dundalk said: "The rules of customer confidentiality prevent AIB from commenting on individual accounts."
"However, AIB policy clearly directs that the bank complies with the relevant rules, laws and procedures governing the opening of all accounts.
"In any cases where there is evidence to suggest that potential accounts contravene these rules then the details are passed to the appropriate authorities.
"These procedures are strictly monitored and enforced by AIB. AIB also monitors the operation of existing accounts on an ongoing basis.
"Where any account is shown to be operating in contravention of any legislation then disclosure is made immediately to the appropriate authority."
The AIB operates under the name of First Trust Bank in Northern Ireland and currently holds around �1.5million in a memorial fund for victims in the devastated town.
Only one person has been charged in connection with the Real IRA blast, a fact that makes this anniversary even more difficult for the victims' families. Mr Gallagher believes another atrocity like Omagh was avoided last Saturday in Derry when police intercepted a 500lb bomb thought to be aimed at the Apprentice Boys march.
He said: "Since Omagh there has been a slow but steady increase in Real IRA activities.
"As long as those people are out there it's only a matter of time before we have another potential terrorist event.
"I am very saddened by the fact that, even though this happened two years ago, nobody has been brought to justice despite the best efforts of the Gardai and the RUC." Next month at an inquest into the bombing, families face the trauma of hearing full details of how their loved ones died.
Mr Gallagher, chairman of the Omagh Support and Self-help Group, added: "The inquest won't bring back the lives that were lost and it won't bring those responsible to justice."
Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "The intention of the bombers was to stoke up conflict and use violence to bring down the Good Friday Agreement.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved and all those still struggling to cope with the legacy of that evil deed."
By DEIRDRE O'DONOVAN
FAMILIES of Omagh bomb Victims yesterday urged the Irish government to seize dissident republican funds being held in bank accounts.
Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aiden was one of the 29 people killed in the blast, spoke as Omagh observes a minute's silence today to mark the second anniversary of the atrocity.
Mr Gallagher has been monitoring the activities of dissident groups on the internet.
He said: "They have continued to organise, recruit and try and solicit finance on a worldwide basis.
"One of the accounts that we have identified is an Allied Irish Bank account in Dundalk and one group is advertising for money to be put in this account.
"We think it's ethically wrong in what the bank is doing here.
"Not only does the bank have a responsibility but the government has responsibility."
Last night a spokesman for the Allied Irish Bank in Dundalk said: "The rules of customer confidentiality prevent AIB from commenting on individual accounts."
"However, AIB policy clearly directs that the bank complies with the relevant rules, laws and procedures governing the opening of all accounts.
"In any cases where there is evidence to suggest that potential accounts contravene these rules then the details are passed to the appropriate authorities.
"These procedures are strictly monitored and enforced by AIB. AIB also monitors the operation of existing accounts on an ongoing basis.
"Where any account is shown to be operating in contravention of any legislation then disclosure is made immediately to the appropriate authority."
The AIB operates under the name of First Trust Bank in Northern Ireland and currently holds around �1.5million in a memorial fund for victims in the devastated town.
Only one person has been charged in connection with the Real IRA blast, a fact that makes this anniversary even more difficult for the victims' families. Mr Gallagher believes another atrocity like Omagh was avoided last Saturday in Derry when police intercepted a 500lb bomb thought to be aimed at the Apprentice Boys march.
He said: "Since Omagh there has been a slow but steady increase in Real IRA activities.
"As long as those people are out there it's only a matter of time before we have another potential terrorist event.
"I am very saddened by the fact that, even though this happened two years ago, nobody has been brought to justice despite the best efforts of the Gardai and the RUC." Next month at an inquest into the bombing, families face the trauma of hearing full details of how their loved ones died.
Mr Gallagher, chairman of the Omagh Support and Self-help Group, added: "The inquest won't bring back the lives that were lost and it won't bring those responsible to justice."
Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "The intention of the bombers was to stoke up conflict and use violence to bring down the Good Friday Agreement.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved and all those still struggling to cope with the legacy of that evil deed."
Further Information
Publisher: THE MIRROR
Ref: TM/109
Published Date: 15-Aug-00
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