ENGLISH POLICE OFFICER TO HELP WITH OMAGH BOMB INVESTIGATION
English police officer to help with Omagh Bomb Investigation
By JOHN McCUSKER
A TOP-RANKING English police officer, due to carry out an independent assessment into the Omagh bomb investigation, could take up his duties within the next few weeks, the 'Herald' has learned.
Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan is shortly expected to name the officer, who has been drafted in to carry out an over-view of the joint RUC-Gardai probe.
The move which has proved highly successful in other investigations will bring together all strands of the enquiry in the hopes of shedding fresh light on the inquiry.
This week, a police source told the 'Herald' that a "fresh pair of eyes" could prove a key element in tracking down those responsible for carrying out the atrocity.
Thirteen months after the bombing which killed 29 and left hundreds injured, RUC and Gardai teams are still heavily involved in the in-depth investigation.
To date, around 4,000 people have been quizzed in connection with the outrage and forensic experts have carried out a finger-tip search of tons of debris taken from the scene. They have managed to piece together the components used in the constructing of the 5OOlb device.
Police believe they know the identity of those who planned and assembled the bomb, before it was driven into Market Street on August 15 last.
Around 40 people have been arrested and questioned on both sides of the border in connection with the crime, but so far only one person has been charged in relation to the bomb attack.
Building contractor and publican, Colm Murphy (46), a native of South Armagh but now living in Dundalk, was charged with conspiracy to cause an explosion and membership of an illegal organisation.
RUC Detective Chief Superintendent Eric Anderson, who leads the inquiry, is understood to welcome the latest move in the hunt to bring those
responsible to justice.
It is not known if the officer appointed to oversee the probe will be granted access to Gardai files on the case, but police sources say he will be working closely with everyone involved in the case.
Meanwhile, security forces fear dissident republicans are in the process of re grouping under a single umbrella organisation.
Police believe members of the Continuity IRA, the Real IRA and the IN LA have come together in recent times and sources claim their combined membership now outnumbers those belonging to the IRA itself.
An ongoing dispute between factions of the organisations has recently led to the abduction of a number of people in the Fermanagh area.
By JOHN McCUSKER
A TOP-RANKING English police officer, due to carry out an independent assessment into the Omagh bomb investigation, could take up his duties within the next few weeks, the 'Herald' has learned.
Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan is shortly expected to name the officer, who has been drafted in to carry out an over-view of the joint RUC-Gardai probe.
The move which has proved highly successful in other investigations will bring together all strands of the enquiry in the hopes of shedding fresh light on the inquiry.
This week, a police source told the 'Herald' that a "fresh pair of eyes" could prove a key element in tracking down those responsible for carrying out the atrocity.
Thirteen months after the bombing which killed 29 and left hundreds injured, RUC and Gardai teams are still heavily involved in the in-depth investigation.
To date, around 4,000 people have been quizzed in connection with the outrage and forensic experts have carried out a finger-tip search of tons of debris taken from the scene. They have managed to piece together the components used in the constructing of the 5OOlb device.
Police believe they know the identity of those who planned and assembled the bomb, before it was driven into Market Street on August 15 last.
Around 40 people have been arrested and questioned on both sides of the border in connection with the crime, but so far only one person has been charged in relation to the bomb attack.
Building contractor and publican, Colm Murphy (46), a native of South Armagh but now living in Dundalk, was charged with conspiracy to cause an explosion and membership of an illegal organisation.
RUC Detective Chief Superintendent Eric Anderson, who leads the inquiry, is understood to welcome the latest move in the hunt to bring those
responsible to justice.
It is not known if the officer appointed to oversee the probe will be granted access to Gardai files on the case, but police sources say he will be working closely with everyone involved in the case.
Meanwhile, security forces fear dissident republicans are in the process of re grouping under a single umbrella organisation.
Police believe members of the Continuity IRA, the Real IRA and the IN LA have come together in recent times and sources claim their combined membership now outnumbers those belonging to the IRA itself.
An ongoing dispute between factions of the organisations has recently led to the abduction of a number of people in the Fermanagh area.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1309
Published Date: 23-Sep-99
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