DEADLOCK BREAKER A BOTCH UP - GALLAGHER
Deadlock breaker a 'botch up' Gallagher
BY ROSETTA DONNELLY
THE impasse between the chief constable and the Ombudsman over the Omagh bomb investigation may soon be resolved
It is understood that the deal may have been hammered out which will satisfy the full Policing Board. The deal, which goes before the full board today (Thursday) is understood to involve the board appointing its own outside officer to monitor the inquiry.
It is likely that all sides could be asked to back a package of recommendations expected to be put before the full meeting in Belfast.
However. Michael Gallagher, chairman of the Omagh Self-help group, rejects this move saying, if it goes ahead, the Policing Board will have "botched up badly".
Describing the appointment of the board's own person to monitor as "no solution", Mr Gallagher said, "I do not see it as being a solution at all. I think it is a way for the politicians on the Policing Board to save face and move on."
Mr Gallagher believes the row over the Ombudsman and the chief constable and the Policing Board's way of dealing with it will impact greatly on the future of policing in Northern Ireland.
"But a solution which is imposed on us by the Board may work for Northern Ireland, but it will not work for us," he added.
Mr Gallagher, whose son Aidan was killed in the bomb, said that he would wait to see the outcome of Thursday's meeting and that the families would meet and discuss the way forward.
Meanwhile, in Washington yesterday, the SDLP leader and Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan called for "restraint" by members of the board, saying nobody should demand the resignation of either Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan or Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan. Mr Durkan drew Unionist fire earlier for his comments favouring an outside investigator to head up the probe. First Minister David Trimble, however, emerged virtually unscathed for his earlier remarks that were even more pointedly in favour of Sir Ronnie Flanagan's view and his open declaration that Mrs O'Loan "generated" the entire controversy. Following Tuesday's marathon 11-hour meeting, a sub committee of four board
members worked round the clock to come up with a deal which might keep everyone happy. The members of the Board included the three political parties Alex Attwood (SDLP), James Leslie (Ulster Unionist) and Sammy Wilson (DUP). A fourth member, Belfast based Barry Gilligan was also present.
It is understood Dan Crompton from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary was heavily involved in the intense negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute. He approved the RUC's internal review of the inquiry which pointed up significant shortcomings. It has been stated that the McVicker report and Crompton's review of that report are central to everything that's being discussed at the moment.
The Policing Board has cancelled the open meeting planned for today. All members will instead reconvene for a private session aimed at a consensus.
BY ROSETTA DONNELLY
THE impasse between the chief constable and the Ombudsman over the Omagh bomb investigation may soon be resolved
It is understood that the deal may have been hammered out which will satisfy the full Policing Board. The deal, which goes before the full board today (Thursday) is understood to involve the board appointing its own outside officer to monitor the inquiry.
It is likely that all sides could be asked to back a package of recommendations expected to be put before the full meeting in Belfast.
However. Michael Gallagher, chairman of the Omagh Self-help group, rejects this move saying, if it goes ahead, the Policing Board will have "botched up badly".
Describing the appointment of the board's own person to monitor as "no solution", Mr Gallagher said, "I do not see it as being a solution at all. I think it is a way for the politicians on the Policing Board to save face and move on."
Mr Gallagher believes the row over the Ombudsman and the chief constable and the Policing Board's way of dealing with it will impact greatly on the future of policing in Northern Ireland.
"But a solution which is imposed on us by the Board may work for Northern Ireland, but it will not work for us," he added.
Mr Gallagher, whose son Aidan was killed in the bomb, said that he would wait to see the outcome of Thursday's meeting and that the families would meet and discuss the way forward.
Meanwhile, in Washington yesterday, the SDLP leader and Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan called for "restraint" by members of the board, saying nobody should demand the resignation of either Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan or Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan. Mr Durkan drew Unionist fire earlier for his comments favouring an outside investigator to head up the probe. First Minister David Trimble, however, emerged virtually unscathed for his earlier remarks that were even more pointedly in favour of Sir Ronnie Flanagan's view and his open declaration that Mrs O'Loan "generated" the entire controversy. Following Tuesday's marathon 11-hour meeting, a sub committee of four board
members worked round the clock to come up with a deal which might keep everyone happy. The members of the Board included the three political parties Alex Attwood (SDLP), James Leslie (Ulster Unionist) and Sammy Wilson (DUP). A fourth member, Belfast based Barry Gilligan was also present.
It is understood Dan Crompton from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary was heavily involved in the intense negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute. He approved the RUC's internal review of the inquiry which pointed up significant shortcomings. It has been stated that the McVicker report and Crompton's review of that report are central to everything that's being discussed at the moment.
The Policing Board has cancelled the open meeting planned for today. All members will instead reconvene for a private session aimed at a consensus.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0950
Published Date: 07-Feb-02
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