NOW CATCH THE OMAGH DEATH GANG
Now catch the Omagh death gang
IT has been a long hard trail, and it isn't over yet.
But yesterday's conviction in connection with the Omagh atrocity is the first bit of comfort the families of the victims have had.
And it's significant that the successful investigation was conducted on the other side of the border.
In the wake of the bombing both the British and Irish governments promised relentless pursuit of the terrorists and a free hand to both police forces to catch them.
But the RUC were shackled by rules imposed for political reasons and have never brought anybody to justice.
The rancour that has been generated by accusations of incompetence has done nothing but rub salt into the wounds.
Such an atrocity as Omagh is hard enough to live with without the police inquiry becoming an object of contention too.
One conviction will hardly be enough to purge those bad feelings.
But it's significant that many of the relatives spoke yesterday of their satisfaction that at least one man had been convicted.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland must track down and convict the killers with the help of the Garda.
Both forces know the names of the Real IRA gang. Three years after the evil deed, it seems the killers are no closer to being brought to justice.
Policing on this island must be unified against terror - as unified as the vast majority of people North and South are in their quest for peace.
The relatives of the Omagh victims have suffered more than enough.
Convictions won't ease their pain, but they will demonstrate that society won't tolerate such abominable acts.
Now, after Colm Murphy's conviction, police must hunt the killers with even more determination.
IT has been a long hard trail, and it isn't over yet.
But yesterday's conviction in connection with the Omagh atrocity is the first bit of comfort the families of the victims have had.
And it's significant that the successful investigation was conducted on the other side of the border.
In the wake of the bombing both the British and Irish governments promised relentless pursuit of the terrorists and a free hand to both police forces to catch them.
But the RUC were shackled by rules imposed for political reasons and have never brought anybody to justice.
The rancour that has been generated by accusations of incompetence has done nothing but rub salt into the wounds.
Such an atrocity as Omagh is hard enough to live with without the police inquiry becoming an object of contention too.
One conviction will hardly be enough to purge those bad feelings.
But it's significant that many of the relatives spoke yesterday of their satisfaction that at least one man had been convicted.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland must track down and convict the killers with the help of the Garda.
Both forces know the names of the Real IRA gang. Three years after the evil deed, it seems the killers are no closer to being brought to justice.
Policing on this island must be unified against terror - as unified as the vast majority of people North and South are in their quest for peace.
The relatives of the Omagh victims have suffered more than enough.
Convictions won't ease their pain, but they will demonstrate that society won't tolerate such abominable acts.
Now, after Colm Murphy's conviction, police must hunt the killers with even more determination.
Further Information
Publisher: THE MIRROR
Ref: TM/148
Published Date: 23-Jan-02
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