BOMB PROBE RESULT NEXT WEEK
Bomb probe result next week
BY JOHN McCUSKER
POLICE Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan will announce the findings of a probe into claims that security forces had been tipped off that a bomb was being prepared days before the Omagh attack, when she meets relatives next week.
Ms O'Loan is expected to outline details of the extensive probe to the bereaved and injured next Wednesday morning, prior to announcing the findings publicly later in the day. The Police Ombudsman is expected to be critical of Special Branch handling of the affair.
Relatives of those killed learned of the meeting with Ms O'Loan in a letter delivered on Tuesday morning.
Allegations that Special Branch had knowledge that a bomb was being prepared days before the August 15, 1998 attack surfaced earlier this year following claims from an alleged police informer that he had tipped off his Special Branch handlers in the days leading up to Omagh.
The agent who uses the pseudonym 'Kevin Fulton' claimed he had disclosed to his Special Branch contact that a Real IRA unit was preparing a car bomb south of the border. He also claimed that his information could have prevented the huge loss of life.
But allegations that this information was suppressed in order to protect Special Branch interests, were later denied by RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan.
It is believed that Fulton was interviewed by the Police Ombudsman's team set up to investigate the affair.
Copies of Ms O'Loan's report are understood to have been forwarded last week to the Secretary of State, the Chief Constable and the chairman of the Police Authority.
On Saturday last, families of a number of those killed in the Omagh bombing confronted protesters from the Real IRA's political wing taking part in a demonstration over prisoners' rights. Relatives held pictures of those murdered as they challenged members of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement outside the Irish Embassy in London.
Cathy Gallagher, whose 21-year-old brother Aidan was among those killed in the Market Street explosion, explained that families were determined to take a stance against terrorism.
"Terrorists have been campaigning for their civil rights for years and I was there in London to represent my brother Aidan and his civil rights as he could not. I was proud of my brother as he lived his life as a decent, honest human being. And I would be ashamed to the point of disownment if he, like those the other protestors were supporting, had been involved in terrorist activity.
"I felt the protest was a success as it showed victims taking a stand for their beliefs and should be an example to other victims to take action and be recognised for their suffering. No-one can stand up for those who died only their families and therefore we felt it was our duty to be there."
BY JOHN McCUSKER
POLICE Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan will announce the findings of a probe into claims that security forces had been tipped off that a bomb was being prepared days before the Omagh attack, when she meets relatives next week.
Ms O'Loan is expected to outline details of the extensive probe to the bereaved and injured next Wednesday morning, prior to announcing the findings publicly later in the day. The Police Ombudsman is expected to be critical of Special Branch handling of the affair.
Relatives of those killed learned of the meeting with Ms O'Loan in a letter delivered on Tuesday morning.
Allegations that Special Branch had knowledge that a bomb was being prepared days before the August 15, 1998 attack surfaced earlier this year following claims from an alleged police informer that he had tipped off his Special Branch handlers in the days leading up to Omagh.
The agent who uses the pseudonym 'Kevin Fulton' claimed he had disclosed to his Special Branch contact that a Real IRA unit was preparing a car bomb south of the border. He also claimed that his information could have prevented the huge loss of life.
But allegations that this information was suppressed in order to protect Special Branch interests, were later denied by RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan.
It is believed that Fulton was interviewed by the Police Ombudsman's team set up to investigate the affair.
Copies of Ms O'Loan's report are understood to have been forwarded last week to the Secretary of State, the Chief Constable and the chairman of the Police Authority.
On Saturday last, families of a number of those killed in the Omagh bombing confronted protesters from the Real IRA's political wing taking part in a demonstration over prisoners' rights. Relatives held pictures of those murdered as they challenged members of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement outside the Irish Embassy in London.
Cathy Gallagher, whose 21-year-old brother Aidan was among those killed in the Market Street explosion, explained that families were determined to take a stance against terrorism.
"Terrorists have been campaigning for their civil rights for years and I was there in London to represent my brother Aidan and his civil rights as he could not. I was proud of my brother as he lived his life as a decent, honest human being. And I would be ashamed to the point of disownment if he, like those the other protestors were supporting, had been involved in terrorist activity.
"I felt the protest was a success as it showed victims taking a stand for their beliefs and should be an example to other victims to take action and be recognised for their suffering. No-one can stand up for those who died only their families and therefore we felt it was our duty to be there."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0866
Published Date: 06-Dec-01
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