ORDER DID NOT REQUEST HELP ON OMAGH BOMB WITNESS
Orde did not request help on Omagh bomb witness
DESPITE the fact that the man investigating the Omagh bomb has pleaded for a key witness to be made available, it emerged this week that his boss, Hugh Orde has not even made the formal request. The Security Minister, Ian Pearson admitted under questioned by a fellow MP that the Chief Constable had not asked the Home Office to help track the man whose evidence could help nail the Omagh bombers.
Norman Baxter is the man tasked with leading the bomb investigation and he has made repeated requests to interview Paddy Dixon, a Garda informer who is now living in England.
In a written reply to Tory MP Laurence Robertson, Ian Pearson confirmed that Mr Order had not asked the Home Office to help track down Dixon.
Dixon fled the Republic last year after his cover as a Garda informer was blown, following newspaper reports that he had told gardai that the Real IRA was planning a major bombing in Ulster in August 1998.
Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter has repeatedly told relatives that he is desperate wants to interview Dixon.
Despite several request to the Republic Department of Justice and the gardai, Dixon - who is on a witness programme, has never been made available to detectives here.
He was detained by Customs and Excise official in Cardiff last July with a large sum of cash in his luggage but the PSNI was not told that he'd been stopped.
In his reply to Mr Roberston, Ian Pearson said "I am advised that the PSNI has not sought assistance from the Secretary of State at the Home office with regard to this matter".
The MP has no sent a letter to Mr Person saying he is surprised by his reply given that Mr Baxter has regularly told Omagh relatives that questioning Dixon is a top priority.
"Despite several request to the Republic Department of Justice and the gardai, Dixon - who is on a witness programme, has never been made available to detectives here."
DESPITE the fact that the man investigating the Omagh bomb has pleaded for a key witness to be made available, it emerged this week that his boss, Hugh Orde has not even made the formal request. The Security Minister, Ian Pearson admitted under questioned by a fellow MP that the Chief Constable had not asked the Home Office to help track the man whose evidence could help nail the Omagh bombers.
Norman Baxter is the man tasked with leading the bomb investigation and he has made repeated requests to interview Paddy Dixon, a Garda informer who is now living in England.
In a written reply to Tory MP Laurence Robertson, Ian Pearson confirmed that Mr Order had not asked the Home Office to help track down Dixon.
Dixon fled the Republic last year after his cover as a Garda informer was blown, following newspaper reports that he had told gardai that the Real IRA was planning a major bombing in Ulster in August 1998.
Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter has repeatedly told relatives that he is desperate wants to interview Dixon.
Despite several request to the Republic Department of Justice and the gardai, Dixon - who is on a witness programme, has never been made available to detectives here.
He was detained by Customs and Excise official in Cardiff last July with a large sum of cash in his luggage but the PSNI was not told that he'd been stopped.
In his reply to Mr Roberston, Ian Pearson said "I am advised that the PSNI has not sought assistance from the Secretary of State at the Home office with regard to this matter".
The MP has no sent a letter to Mr Person saying he is surprised by his reply given that Mr Baxter has regularly told Omagh relatives that questioning Dixon is a top priority.
"Despite several request to the Republic Department of Justice and the gardai, Dixon - who is on a witness programme, has never been made available to detectives here."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE HERALD
Ref: TYH/002
Published Date: 29-Nov-04
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