FLANAGAN REJECTS FAMILIES' APPEAL
Flanagan rejects families' appeal
AN appeal by Omagh bomb victims' families to the outgoing Chief Constable, to appoint an independent senior investigator to the investigation into the atrocity, has been rejected by Ronnie Flanagan.
The Omagh families wrote that for three and a half years they have waited for results in the investigation and that now they regard the investigation as flawed and have lost all confidence in it.
In rejecting the families' appeal Mr Flanagan said that the appointment of an independent senior investigating officer would seriously undermine the chances of successfully bringing those responsible to justice.
He added that the arrangements suggested by the Policing Board do bring a high degree of independence to the investigation.
"While I fully understand the on going anguish you all feel, I know that to bring in an independent senior investigating officer as you request would seriously undermine the chances of successfully bringing the perpetrators to justice. None of us can take that risk", wrote Mr Flanagan.
The relatives' letter was also copied to Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern, John Reid, and Des Rea, (Chairman of the Policing Board).
AN appeal by Omagh bomb victims' families to the outgoing Chief Constable, to appoint an independent senior investigator to the investigation into the atrocity, has been rejected by Ronnie Flanagan.
The Omagh families wrote that for three and a half years they have waited for results in the investigation and that now they regard the investigation as flawed and have lost all confidence in it.
In rejecting the families' appeal Mr Flanagan said that the appointment of an independent senior investigating officer would seriously undermine the chances of successfully bringing those responsible to justice.
He added that the arrangements suggested by the Policing Board do bring a high degree of independence to the investigation.
"While I fully understand the on going anguish you all feel, I know that to bring in an independent senior investigating officer as you request would seriously undermine the chances of successfully bringing the perpetrators to justice. None of us can take that risk", wrote Mr Flanagan.
The relatives' letter was also copied to Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern, John Reid, and Des Rea, (Chairman of the Policing Board).
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0982
Published Date: 07-Mar-02
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