FAMILIES TO DEMAND PUBLIC INQUIRY OF BLUNKETT
Families to demand public Inquiry of Blunkett
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
THE BEREAVED and injured of Omagh are to press the British Home Secretary and his counterpart in the Republic for a full independent Public Inquiry into the Omagh bombing when they meet him next month. The families want the investigation to be overseen by Independent European investigators and they want it to happen soon.
Ten families who lost loved ones in the Omagh bombing are meeting David Blunkett, in their pursuit of justice following what became known as the worst single atrocity of the Troubles.
The meeting, which will take place in London, is scheduled for 9th April and the Omagh Self Help and Support Group expect representatives of ten of the bereaved families to take part: ten was the maximum number that the Home secretary would agree to meet.
"Personally I feel that the British government is unclear in its reaction to terrorism, they have not handled the issue the same way that the US government handled it following September the 11th". The British government take a selective view", said the Chairman of the group, Michael Gallagher.
He continued, "We will be discussing with Mr Blunkett the way in which the (outgoing) Chief Constable, Ronnie Flanagan reponded to the Ombudman's report. It doesn't sit right with us that someone who rejected cricitcism [Flanagan] will now be handing it out [as member of Her Majestey's Inspectorate of Constabulary]."
"We will be seeking a full public inquiry that will be unique in the sense that it will have a joint cross-border dimension."
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
THE BEREAVED and injured of Omagh are to press the British Home Secretary and his counterpart in the Republic for a full independent Public Inquiry into the Omagh bombing when they meet him next month. The families want the investigation to be overseen by Independent European investigators and they want it to happen soon.
Ten families who lost loved ones in the Omagh bombing are meeting David Blunkett, in their pursuit of justice following what became known as the worst single atrocity of the Troubles.
The meeting, which will take place in London, is scheduled for 9th April and the Omagh Self Help and Support Group expect representatives of ten of the bereaved families to take part: ten was the maximum number that the Home secretary would agree to meet.
"Personally I feel that the British government is unclear in its reaction to terrorism, they have not handled the issue the same way that the US government handled it following September the 11th". The British government take a selective view", said the Chairman of the group, Michael Gallagher.
He continued, "We will be discussing with Mr Blunkett the way in which the (outgoing) Chief Constable, Ronnie Flanagan reponded to the Ombudman's report. It doesn't sit right with us that someone who rejected cricitcism [Flanagan] will now be handing it out [as member of Her Majestey's Inspectorate of Constabulary]."
"We will be seeking a full public inquiry that will be unique in the sense that it will have a joint cross-border dimension."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0990
Published Date: 28-Mar-02
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