BOMB VICTIMS' FAMILIES STUNNED AT RONNIE FLANAGAN PROMOTION
Bomb victims' families stunned at Ronnie Flanagan promotion
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
RELATIVES of the victims of the Omagh bomb have expressed their dismay at the news that Ronnie Flanagan has been promoted to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Policing following his abject failure to properly manage the investigation into the Omagh atrocity.
The announcement of his new post was received with 'horror' by Lawrence Rush whose wife, Libby, perished in the blast, while Chairman of the Omagh Self Help and Support Group, Michael Gallagher, said he, was stunned at the news that Mr Flanagan was given the job with HMIC.
"This is obviously a political decision, the government is sending put a clear message to the Policing Board that they have every confidence in this man. We do not share that view."
Mr Gallagher said he was 'totally shattered', "It has got to the stage where you don't know what to expect. Nobody seems to be listening to us, Blair, Ahern, nobody."
However, the Secretary of State, John Reid, paid a gushing tribute to the outgoing Chief Constable saying he was 'delighted for Sir Ronnie'.
"He will bring to the job a wealth of experience gained during his long service in the RUC and latterly the PSNI in some of the most demanding and difficult policing circumstances in the world."
He continued, "Policing has been his life. He has served in every rank in the police since joining in 1970, obtained many qualifications and gained significant recognition for his efforts and achievements at home and abroad. He has been totally committed to managing the unprecedented change process within policing in Northern Ireland as set out in the Patten report.
"He has a vision of policing in the 21st Century and a clear ability to inspire and lead others in that direction.
"I am certain he will make an excellent HMIC"
Concluding, the Secretary of State said, "This appointment is a tribute to Sir Ronnie's leadership, to the police service he leads, and to the people of Northern Ireland whom he has served so well."
Chairman of the Police Board Des Rea also paid tribute to Mr Flanagan saying, "...he has greatly facilitated the transition from the RUC to the PSNI by the way in which he embraced and led the change agenda."
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
RELATIVES of the victims of the Omagh bomb have expressed their dismay at the news that Ronnie Flanagan has been promoted to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Policing following his abject failure to properly manage the investigation into the Omagh atrocity.
The announcement of his new post was received with 'horror' by Lawrence Rush whose wife, Libby, perished in the blast, while Chairman of the Omagh Self Help and Support Group, Michael Gallagher, said he, was stunned at the news that Mr Flanagan was given the job with HMIC.
"This is obviously a political decision, the government is sending put a clear message to the Policing Board that they have every confidence in this man. We do not share that view."
Mr Gallagher said he was 'totally shattered', "It has got to the stage where you don't know what to expect. Nobody seems to be listening to us, Blair, Ahern, nobody."
However, the Secretary of State, John Reid, paid a gushing tribute to the outgoing Chief Constable saying he was 'delighted for Sir Ronnie'.
"He will bring to the job a wealth of experience gained during his long service in the RUC and latterly the PSNI in some of the most demanding and difficult policing circumstances in the world."
He continued, "Policing has been his life. He has served in every rank in the police since joining in 1970, obtained many qualifications and gained significant recognition for his efforts and achievements at home and abroad. He has been totally committed to managing the unprecedented change process within policing in Northern Ireland as set out in the Patten report.
"He has a vision of policing in the 21st Century and a clear ability to inspire and lead others in that direction.
"I am certain he will make an excellent HMIC"
Concluding, the Secretary of State said, "This appointment is a tribute to Sir Ronnie's leadership, to the police service he leads, and to the people of Northern Ireland whom he has served so well."
Chairman of the Police Board Des Rea also paid tribute to Mr Flanagan saying, "...he has greatly facilitated the transition from the RUC to the PSNI by the way in which he embraced and led the change agenda."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0976
Published Date: 21-Feb-02
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