RUC AND GARDAI MEET IN OMAGH TO REVIEW BOMB INVESTIGATION
RUC and Gardai meet in Omagh to review bomb investigation
Bv MICHELE CANNING
SENIOR RUC and Gardai officers met in Omagh yesterday (Wed) to review the year long investigation into the hunt for the Real IRA bombers
behind the worst atrocity in the North.
The cross-border team met in the town where one year ago a 600lb car bomb exploded in Market Street killing 29 people, two unborn babies and injuring over 270.
It is not believed that the meeting is being held as a result of any dramatic developments in the investigation - one of the most intensive on both sides of the border.
An RUC spokeswoman confirmed to the 'Herald' that detectives from both the RUC and Gardai were meeting to assess the current state of the Omagh investigation.
She said the inquiry was 'very much active' ant it is normal procedure in serious crime investigations to hold this type of meeting.
"It is common practice in many major investigations to review progress."
The spokeswoman added "Such reviews enable officers not previously involved in the investigation to provide an independent overview."
The Gardai also confirmed that yesterday's meeting was a review of the ongoing investigation.
Both the RUC and Gardai continue to work from inquiry centres set up in the immediate aftermath of the bomb in both Omagh and Monaghan.
The Gardai investigation is one of its biggest yet with up to 50 uniformed Gardai and detectives involved in the hunt for the gang which stole the Vauxhall Cavalier car used by the Real IRA to transport the car bomb to Omagh on August 15th of last year.
The car which belonged to a student, was stolen from Carrickmacross in Monaghan just days before the atrocity.
In the 26 Counties Assistant Commissioner Kevin Carty is in overall charge of the investigation. He is joined by Chief Superintendent Colum Rooney, who has been in charge of the Cavan/Monaghan area for the last six years.
In the months following the bombing the RUC officer heading the investigation, Chief Superintendent Eric Anderson, said detectives know who
the bombers are but are unable to charge them.
At least six people, one from the Omagh area, are suspected of involvement in the explosion, said the senior detective.
Members of the Real IRA in the border counties of Armagh, Monaghan and Louth are believed to have planned the bombing.
More than 40 people have been arrested for questioning on both sides of the border and more than 4000 witness statements have been taken.
Only one person has been charged in connection with the bombing.
Bv MICHELE CANNING
SENIOR RUC and Gardai officers met in Omagh yesterday (Wed) to review the year long investigation into the hunt for the Real IRA bombers
behind the worst atrocity in the North.
The cross-border team met in the town where one year ago a 600lb car bomb exploded in Market Street killing 29 people, two unborn babies and injuring over 270.
It is not believed that the meeting is being held as a result of any dramatic developments in the investigation - one of the most intensive on both sides of the border.
An RUC spokeswoman confirmed to the 'Herald' that detectives from both the RUC and Gardai were meeting to assess the current state of the Omagh investigation.
She said the inquiry was 'very much active' ant it is normal procedure in serious crime investigations to hold this type of meeting.
"It is common practice in many major investigations to review progress."
The spokeswoman added "Such reviews enable officers not previously involved in the investigation to provide an independent overview."
The Gardai also confirmed that yesterday's meeting was a review of the ongoing investigation.
Both the RUC and Gardai continue to work from inquiry centres set up in the immediate aftermath of the bomb in both Omagh and Monaghan.
The Gardai investigation is one of its biggest yet with up to 50 uniformed Gardai and detectives involved in the hunt for the gang which stole the Vauxhall Cavalier car used by the Real IRA to transport the car bomb to Omagh on August 15th of last year.
The car which belonged to a student, was stolen from Carrickmacross in Monaghan just days before the atrocity.
In the 26 Counties Assistant Commissioner Kevin Carty is in overall charge of the investigation. He is joined by Chief Superintendent Colum Rooney, who has been in charge of the Cavan/Monaghan area for the last six years.
In the months following the bombing the RUC officer heading the investigation, Chief Superintendent Eric Anderson, said detectives know who
the bombers are but are unable to charge them.
At least six people, one from the Omagh area, are suspected of involvement in the explosion, said the senior detective.
Members of the Real IRA in the border counties of Armagh, Monaghan and Louth are believed to have planned the bombing.
More than 40 people have been arrested for questioning on both sides of the border and more than 4000 witness statements have been taken.
Only one person has been charged in connection with the bombing.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0441
Published Date: 12-Aug-99
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