DOUBLE KILLER WORKING FOR OMAGH FUND
Double killer working for Omagh fund
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
A SELF-confessed double killer who carried out a cold-blooded murder in Broderick's bar in Omagh - is one of the main movers and shakers behind the fund-raising effort for the Omagh bomb civil case.
Sean O'Callaghan, who shot dead Special Branch Detective Inspector Peter Flanagan in 1974 as he slumped into the toilet at Broderick's, is working along with English legal firm, the Henry Hepworth Organisation (called H2O), to raise money for a civil case against the named Omagh bomb suspects.
A close Westminster aide of Ulster Unionist First Minister David Trimble, ex-IRA man O'Callaghan turned himself in in 1988, served eight years in prison, and became an informer working with the police. He has made much of his sordid past and is something of a celebrity in certain showbusiness and media circles in England where he has been involved in recruiting celebrities for the Omagh fund. He lives is a secret location and, even though there is a ceasefire in place, it is believed that he would still be a prime target for certain Republicans.
When an Ulster Herald reporter recently contacted the Henry Hepworth Organisation for information on the celebrities backing the 'civil case', the call was passed to a man who identified himself as Sean, and later Sean O'Callaghan, who was said by the company to be "looking after that end of things".
O'Callaghan's involvement with the security forces and now David Trimble has raised speculation that he is manipulating the Omagh bombing relatives' campaign and the prospective civil suit.
Moreover, his close involvement with people who sought to discredit Policing Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's report on the Omagh investigation - even though that report has the full backing of the victims' families, suggests his involvement is heavily agendised.
Ten years after surrendering to English police, O'Callaghan published his book detailing his activities whilst an IRA man, including a graphic account of the assassination of Peter Flanagan. He is considered within British government circles to be a valued reconstructed former terrorist, and within republican circles to be an unreconstructed traitor.
Chairman of the local Support and Self Help Group Michael Gallagher confirmed that those families involved in bringing the Civil Suit were aware that O'Callaghan had a "peripheral" role in fund raising.
"We've never had many dealings with O'Callaghan. He has good media contacts and it was his media contacts that we were keen on."
Mr Gallagher added, "Let me assure you of one thing, that coming from where we are, we are our own people and we will control the end game here and that is justice, surely that can be seen In the way that we have handled the Chief Constable. We're not going to be pushing anyone's agenda here. We did at the very beginning take a decision that we would use politicians and not allow politicians to use us. I think that has worked well for us."
The Chairman of the Omagh Self-Help and Support Group continued, "As far as we, the families, are concerned we would have little or no contact with Sean O'Callaghan. As far as I know, he's used from time to time for his media contacts more than anything else. The fact that he had been involved in terrorism is never too far from any of our minds, and we know that there are families out there who suffered..."
Mr Gallagher said that he and the members' other families had very real concerns about the way that Special Branch had handled the whole Omagh situation. When it was suggested that O'Callaghan is now closely associated with two organisations which strove to undermine the Police Ombudsman, Mr Gallagher commented, "It's a weird world we live in."
He went on to say that the Omagh families had taken the Chief Constable to task on the way in which the Omagh investigation had been directed.
"You'll see in the near future that we are going to put both governments under severe pressure for the way that they've handled Omagh."
Mr Gallagher confirmed that H2O (Henry Hepworth Organisation), was not taking the Omagh civil case on a "pro bono" basis. Rather, they have agreed to accept reduced fees and had taken the case for many months before any money was available.
"There are not that many firms of solicitors willing to take on a case like that. The test of this case will be the outcome"
On the subject of any likely hurt to the victims of O'Callaghan's crimes Mr Gallagher commented, "If there's any ounce of humanity in anybody, they couldn't help but feel for that family."
So far, with the help of celebrities from the world of film and entertainment �850,000 of the �1.5 million needed has been raised for the Omagh civil suit.
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
A SELF-confessed double killer who carried out a cold-blooded murder in Broderick's bar in Omagh - is one of the main movers and shakers behind the fund-raising effort for the Omagh bomb civil case.
Sean O'Callaghan, who shot dead Special Branch Detective Inspector Peter Flanagan in 1974 as he slumped into the toilet at Broderick's, is working along with English legal firm, the Henry Hepworth Organisation (called H2O), to raise money for a civil case against the named Omagh bomb suspects.
A close Westminster aide of Ulster Unionist First Minister David Trimble, ex-IRA man O'Callaghan turned himself in in 1988, served eight years in prison, and became an informer working with the police. He has made much of his sordid past and is something of a celebrity in certain showbusiness and media circles in England where he has been involved in recruiting celebrities for the Omagh fund. He lives is a secret location and, even though there is a ceasefire in place, it is believed that he would still be a prime target for certain Republicans.
When an Ulster Herald reporter recently contacted the Henry Hepworth Organisation for information on the celebrities backing the 'civil case', the call was passed to a man who identified himself as Sean, and later Sean O'Callaghan, who was said by the company to be "looking after that end of things".
O'Callaghan's involvement with the security forces and now David Trimble has raised speculation that he is manipulating the Omagh bombing relatives' campaign and the prospective civil suit.
Moreover, his close involvement with people who sought to discredit Policing Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's report on the Omagh investigation - even though that report has the full backing of the victims' families, suggests his involvement is heavily agendised.
Ten years after surrendering to English police, O'Callaghan published his book detailing his activities whilst an IRA man, including a graphic account of the assassination of Peter Flanagan. He is considered within British government circles to be a valued reconstructed former terrorist, and within republican circles to be an unreconstructed traitor.
Chairman of the local Support and Self Help Group Michael Gallagher confirmed that those families involved in bringing the Civil Suit were aware that O'Callaghan had a "peripheral" role in fund raising.
"We've never had many dealings with O'Callaghan. He has good media contacts and it was his media contacts that we were keen on."
Mr Gallagher added, "Let me assure you of one thing, that coming from where we are, we are our own people and we will control the end game here and that is justice, surely that can be seen In the way that we have handled the Chief Constable. We're not going to be pushing anyone's agenda here. We did at the very beginning take a decision that we would use politicians and not allow politicians to use us. I think that has worked well for us."
The Chairman of the Omagh Self-Help and Support Group continued, "As far as we, the families, are concerned we would have little or no contact with Sean O'Callaghan. As far as I know, he's used from time to time for his media contacts more than anything else. The fact that he had been involved in terrorism is never too far from any of our minds, and we know that there are families out there who suffered..."
Mr Gallagher said that he and the members' other families had very real concerns about the way that Special Branch had handled the whole Omagh situation. When it was suggested that O'Callaghan is now closely associated with two organisations which strove to undermine the Police Ombudsman, Mr Gallagher commented, "It's a weird world we live in."
He went on to say that the Omagh families had taken the Chief Constable to task on the way in which the Omagh investigation had been directed.
"You'll see in the near future that we are going to put both governments under severe pressure for the way that they've handled Omagh."
Mr Gallagher confirmed that H2O (Henry Hepworth Organisation), was not taking the Omagh civil case on a "pro bono" basis. Rather, they have agreed to accept reduced fees and had taken the case for many months before any money was available.
"There are not that many firms of solicitors willing to take on a case like that. The test of this case will be the outcome"
On the subject of any likely hurt to the victims of O'Callaghan's crimes Mr Gallagher commented, "If there's any ounce of humanity in anybody, they couldn't help but feel for that family."
So far, with the help of celebrities from the world of film and entertainment �850,000 of the �1.5 million needed has been raised for the Omagh civil suit.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0989
Published Date: 28-Mar-02
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