RUC REFUTE CLAIMS OVER OMAGH CAR BOMB TIP-OFF
RUC refute claims over Omagh car bomb tip-off
THE RUC has reacted angrily to weekend reports that it was tipped off about the 1998 bombing of Omagh's town centre three days in advance of the horrific explosion which killed 29 people and unborn twins.
But a Drumquin man, who lost his wife in the August 15 atrocity in 1998, has refused to dismiss the claim out of hand, and said: "I have always had my suspicions, although I would like more proof."
Kevin Skelton, whose wife, Philomena, 39, was killed and whose 13-year-old daughter, Shauna, sustained severe facial injuries in the blast, added "This is not the first time I have heard these allegations, and I would be inclined to have the view that there is some substance to them.
"Of course, I know that hindsight is a wonderful thing, but the hard facts are that there were so few police on the ground on the day of the bomb and the army were not deployed at all. I have to ask why?" said Mr Skelton.
But the Sunday newspaper 'tipoff'claims that a former agent had provided security forces with early information about the attack on Omagh, brought an angry backlash from the RUC.
The police robustly rebutted the revelation that the agent said to have used the cover name Kevin Fulton had informed his Special Branch handlers that a bomb was to be placed in Omagh.
It was alleged too, that Fulton had subsequently pinpointed the spot where the bomb had been assembled and that the RUC had taken steps to protect the bomb.
THE RUC has reacted angrily to weekend reports that it was tipped off about the 1998 bombing of Omagh's town centre three days in advance of the horrific explosion which killed 29 people and unborn twins.
But a Drumquin man, who lost his wife in the August 15 atrocity in 1998, has refused to dismiss the claim out of hand, and said: "I have always had my suspicions, although I would like more proof."
Kevin Skelton, whose wife, Philomena, 39, was killed and whose 13-year-old daughter, Shauna, sustained severe facial injuries in the blast, added "This is not the first time I have heard these allegations, and I would be inclined to have the view that there is some substance to them.
"Of course, I know that hindsight is a wonderful thing, but the hard facts are that there were so few police on the ground on the day of the bomb and the army were not deployed at all. I have to ask why?" said Mr Skelton.
But the Sunday newspaper 'tipoff'claims that a former agent had provided security forces with early information about the attack on Omagh, brought an angry backlash from the RUC.
The police robustly rebutted the revelation that the agent said to have used the cover name Kevin Fulton had informed his Special Branch handlers that a bomb was to be placed in Omagh.
It was alleged too, that Fulton had subsequently pinpointed the spot where the bomb had been assembled and that the RUC had taken steps to protect the bomb.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0791
Published Date: 02-Aug-01
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.