BOMB VICTIMS ARE THE REAL FREEDOM FIGHTERS CLAIMS AMBASSADOR
Bomb victims are the real freedom fighters' claims Ambassador
Relatives call upon Spain to host any future trial for bombers
The Spanish Ambassador to Ireland has said that the victims of bombing are the 'real freedom fighters'.
Senor Enrique Pastor was speaking during a meeting with the families of those murdered and maimed in the 'Real' IRA bombing of Omagh on August 15th 1998.
The families had requested a meeting with Senor Pastor to request that Spain consider hosting any future trial of those charged with the bombing.
Families of people killed and maimed in the bombing are pursuing the international dimension similar to that used in the Lockerbie case to allow for any eventualities which might present suspects with a legal loophole, for example, in the case of suspects claiming that they would not get a fair trial because of certain TV programmes and newspaper articles.
The move was inspired by the success of the families of the Lockerbie victims in prosecuting the accused in a Scottish Court sitting in Camp Zeist in the Netherlands.
Chairman of the Omagh Self Help and Support Group, Michael Gallagher, whose son Adrian was among the 31 killed in the Omagh blast was adamant that those responsible should not escape justice.
"We are anxious that no matter what tactic is employed in defence of any of the people involved in the bombing that there is a legitimate remedy to overcome that obstacle.
"If people who are charged with offences relating to the bombing were to successfully argue in court that they couldn't receive a fair trial in Ireland or Britain ... then we have to look at the alternatives.
"We would be happy to see the trial of the bombers take place in Spain or in any other other democratic country.
Mr Gallagher said that the Ambassador had taken their views on board and would convey them to his government.
He said that the trial concerning the Lockerbie bombing set a precedent and added "There is no reason why an Irish or British court could not be held in Spain."
Two Spanish citizens died and several others were injured in the Omagh bombing.
The representatives of some of the Omagh families also met with the British Ambassador to the Republic, Sir Ivor Roberts, and thanked him for his fund raising for the Omagh Fund.
In a separate development a Sunday newspaper revealed that the Real IRA had been infiltrated by a US double agent who is now set to testify against people who face charges relating to the activities of that organisation.
One newspaper suggested that he bugged meetings of the its ruling 'Army Council.'
Relatives call upon Spain to host any future trial for bombers
The Spanish Ambassador to Ireland has said that the victims of bombing are the 'real freedom fighters'.
Senor Enrique Pastor was speaking during a meeting with the families of those murdered and maimed in the 'Real' IRA bombing of Omagh on August 15th 1998.
The families had requested a meeting with Senor Pastor to request that Spain consider hosting any future trial of those charged with the bombing.
Families of people killed and maimed in the bombing are pursuing the international dimension similar to that used in the Lockerbie case to allow for any eventualities which might present suspects with a legal loophole, for example, in the case of suspects claiming that they would not get a fair trial because of certain TV programmes and newspaper articles.
The move was inspired by the success of the families of the Lockerbie victims in prosecuting the accused in a Scottish Court sitting in Camp Zeist in the Netherlands.
Chairman of the Omagh Self Help and Support Group, Michael Gallagher, whose son Adrian was among the 31 killed in the Omagh blast was adamant that those responsible should not escape justice.
"We are anxious that no matter what tactic is employed in defence of any of the people involved in the bombing that there is a legitimate remedy to overcome that obstacle.
"If people who are charged with offences relating to the bombing were to successfully argue in court that they couldn't receive a fair trial in Ireland or Britain ... then we have to look at the alternatives.
"We would be happy to see the trial of the bombers take place in Spain or in any other other democratic country.
Mr Gallagher said that the Ambassador had taken their views on board and would convey them to his government.
He said that the trial concerning the Lockerbie bombing set a precedent and added "There is no reason why an Irish or British court could not be held in Spain."
Two Spanish citizens died and several others were injured in the Omagh bombing.
The representatives of some of the Omagh families also met with the British Ambassador to the Republic, Sir Ivor Roberts, and thanked him for his fund raising for the Omagh Fund.
In a separate development a Sunday newspaper revealed that the Real IRA had been infiltrated by a US double agent who is now set to testify against people who face charges relating to the activities of that organisation.
One newspaper suggested that he bugged meetings of the its ruling 'Army Council.'
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0756
Published Date: 12-Apr-01
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