CONFUSION REIGNS AS POLICING BOARD MAKES DECISION
Confusion reigns Board makes decision
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
LOCAL MLA Joe Byrne hails it as a "step forward" Secretary of State John Reid calls it the "wisdom of Solomon" the Policing Board think it will "instil confidence" the Ombudsman's office thinks it has been misrepresented.
The above mixed sentiments followed the deliberations of the Policing Board last week. However, despite what appeared to be satisfaction on the part of the Board and the Chief Constable, the central issue as to whether the Omagh bombing could have been prevented has not been finally addressed.
On Thursday of last week, the Policing Board released a statement in which it implied that the Ombudsman was in agreement that the bombing could not have been prevented.
It is understood that on Friday, the Ombudsman wrote to the Chairman of the Board, Professor Desmond Rea, strongly protesting that this was not what her report is saying. This week, a spokesman for the Ombudsman's office told the Ulster Herald that Mrs O'Loan stands over the assertion in her report.
The Policing Board's statement read: 'Following discussion between the Board, the Police Ombudsman, and the Chief Constable it was agreed, on the basis of the information available that the Omagh bombing could not have been prevented.'
What the Ombudsman said in her report was, "...the objective conclusion of the Police Ombudsman is that even if reasonable action had been taken in respect of that intelligence [provided by the informer known as Kevin Fulton] alone it is unlikely that the Omagh bomb could have been prevented.'
However, the Ombudsman report also noted: [re: anonymous information passed to CID and Special Branch] '...this significant information was not handled correctly. It is not possible to say what impact other action between 4 August 1998 and 15 August 1998 would have had, or whether action other than that taken by Special Branch could have prevented the Omagh Bomb.'
That gap in certainty between the Board and the Ombudsman is believed to have been the focus of the meetings of the Omagh Self Help and Support Group.
The Families of many of the victims, met. on Monday and Wednesday nights to decide on a response to the Policing Board's deliberations.
Local Assembly member, Joe Byrne, who is a member of the Policing Board focused on the perceived 'impetus' that the Board's deliberations would inject into the investigation.
He said that central to the Board's response was the enhanced role of the external senior officer who will have the same status as the PSNI's senior investigating officer.
"This officer will scrutinise the current investigation and will work to ensure that all evidential opportunities are maximised. The external officer will explore dissident republican incidents prior to the Omagh bomb that could be linked and which may provide new opportunities to secure prosecutions," said Mr Byrne.
It is understood the Omagh Self Help and Support Group will be issuing a statement today (Thursday).
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
LOCAL MLA Joe Byrne hails it as a "step forward" Secretary of State John Reid calls it the "wisdom of Solomon" the Policing Board think it will "instil confidence" the Ombudsman's office thinks it has been misrepresented.
The above mixed sentiments followed the deliberations of the Policing Board last week. However, despite what appeared to be satisfaction on the part of the Board and the Chief Constable, the central issue as to whether the Omagh bombing could have been prevented has not been finally addressed.
On Thursday of last week, the Policing Board released a statement in which it implied that the Ombudsman was in agreement that the bombing could not have been prevented.
It is understood that on Friday, the Ombudsman wrote to the Chairman of the Board, Professor Desmond Rea, strongly protesting that this was not what her report is saying. This week, a spokesman for the Ombudsman's office told the Ulster Herald that Mrs O'Loan stands over the assertion in her report.
The Policing Board's statement read: 'Following discussion between the Board, the Police Ombudsman, and the Chief Constable it was agreed, on the basis of the information available that the Omagh bombing could not have been prevented.'
What the Ombudsman said in her report was, "...the objective conclusion of the Police Ombudsman is that even if reasonable action had been taken in respect of that intelligence [provided by the informer known as Kevin Fulton] alone it is unlikely that the Omagh bomb could have been prevented.'
However, the Ombudsman report also noted: [re: anonymous information passed to CID and Special Branch] '...this significant information was not handled correctly. It is not possible to say what impact other action between 4 August 1998 and 15 August 1998 would have had, or whether action other than that taken by Special Branch could have prevented the Omagh Bomb.'
That gap in certainty between the Board and the Ombudsman is believed to have been the focus of the meetings of the Omagh Self Help and Support Group.
The Families of many of the victims, met. on Monday and Wednesday nights to decide on a response to the Policing Board's deliberations.
Local Assembly member, Joe Byrne, who is a member of the Policing Board focused on the perceived 'impetus' that the Board's deliberations would inject into the investigation.
He said that central to the Board's response was the enhanced role of the external senior officer who will have the same status as the PSNI's senior investigating officer.
"This officer will scrutinise the current investigation and will work to ensure that all evidential opportunities are maximised. The external officer will explore dissident republican incidents prior to the Omagh bomb that could be linked and which may provide new opportunities to secure prosecutions," said Mr Byrne.
It is understood the Omagh Self Help and Support Group will be issuing a statement today (Thursday).
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0961
Published Date: 14-Feb-02
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