OMAGH PROBE ROW COMES DOWN TO WIRE
Omagh probe row comes down to wire
Trimble throws spanner in chances of resolution
THE Vice Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board told the husband of one of those murdered in the 1998 Omagh blast that he would resign from the Board if the investigation into the behaviour of police before and after the blast doesn't satisfy the families.
Denis Bradley gave the assurance, said Lawrence Rush, after a meeting on Monday between relatives of the victims and members of the Policing Board.
It was the strongest reassurance yet for relatives that some good might come in their search for justice after another harrowing week of public trials.
Last Thursday, the relatives gathered at the Silverbirch Hotel to hear the answer of Sir Ronnie Flanagan to the damning indictment of the police investigation into the bombing atrocity. They left that meeting deeply dissatisfied by the police chiefs summary dismissal of the entire Ombudsman's report.
On Friday, relatives travelled to Dublin where Colm Murphy, the only person convicted for the Omagh bomb, was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
On Monday, the families were back at the Silverbirch Hotel to meet members of the Policing Board. They urged them to end the confusion that has enveloped the search for the bombers following then separate meetings next week with Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan and the police chief.
Yet the chances of that dimmed following weekend statements by First Minister David Trimble which seemed calculated to pre-empt any non partisan approach to the public stand-off over the Omagh investigation. At a meeting of the East Antrim Unionist Association, Mr Trimble came down decisively in favour of Sir Ronnie Flanagan. Accusing Mrs O'Loan of having "generated" controversy, Mr Trimble said Sir Ronnie "demolished" her findings.
Although the victims relatives and others remain unconvinced, Trimble's words will resonate as the Policing Board convenes to deliberate on the matter.
Meanwhile, Sir Ronnie's trenchant defence of his officers rankles still. One of the victims' group, Mr Rush was adamant on what he needs to be satisfied.
"Special Branch should be completely cleaned out," he said this week. "There are people in there who seem to be a law onto themselves. They have nobody to answer to, including Mr Flanagan."
Trimble throws spanner in chances of resolution
THE Vice Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board told the husband of one of those murdered in the 1998 Omagh blast that he would resign from the Board if the investigation into the behaviour of police before and after the blast doesn't satisfy the families.
Denis Bradley gave the assurance, said Lawrence Rush, after a meeting on Monday between relatives of the victims and members of the Policing Board.
It was the strongest reassurance yet for relatives that some good might come in their search for justice after another harrowing week of public trials.
Last Thursday, the relatives gathered at the Silverbirch Hotel to hear the answer of Sir Ronnie Flanagan to the damning indictment of the police investigation into the bombing atrocity. They left that meeting deeply dissatisfied by the police chiefs summary dismissal of the entire Ombudsman's report.
On Friday, relatives travelled to Dublin where Colm Murphy, the only person convicted for the Omagh bomb, was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
On Monday, the families were back at the Silverbirch Hotel to meet members of the Policing Board. They urged them to end the confusion that has enveloped the search for the bombers following then separate meetings next week with Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan and the police chief.
Yet the chances of that dimmed following weekend statements by First Minister David Trimble which seemed calculated to pre-empt any non partisan approach to the public stand-off over the Omagh investigation. At a meeting of the East Antrim Unionist Association, Mr Trimble came down decisively in favour of Sir Ronnie Flanagan. Accusing Mrs O'Loan of having "generated" controversy, Mr Trimble said Sir Ronnie "demolished" her findings.
Although the victims relatives and others remain unconvinced, Trimble's words will resonate as the Policing Board convenes to deliberate on the matter.
Meanwhile, Sir Ronnie's trenchant defence of his officers rankles still. One of the victims' group, Mr Rush was adamant on what he needs to be satisfied.
"Special Branch should be completely cleaned out," he said this week. "There are people in there who seem to be a law onto themselves. They have nobody to answer to, including Mr Flanagan."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0937
Published Date: 31-Jan-02
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