DISAPPOINTMENT THAT GARDAI WILL NOT ATTEND INQUESTS
Disappointment that Gardai will not attend Inquests
RELATIVES of those who died in the bombing have expressed their disappointment that members of the Garda would not be
giving evidence.
The decision not to put Garda on the witness stand following fears that it could compromise the forth coming trial in Dublin special Criminal court of a man who was charged in connection with the bombing. This week the hearing was told Coroner John Leckey had written to Garda Commissioner, Pat Byrne in June informing him of the inquests.
Mr Leckey's letter read: "I am aware that the Garda assisted the Royal Ulster Constabulary in the subsequent investigation and because of that I am considering whether it would be appropriate for one of your officers to give evidence at the inquest in addition to officers from the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
"My own view is that it would be desirable for one of your officers to give evidence as I am sure the families would wish to hear direct from the
Garda Siochana in addition to the Royal Ulster Constabulary."
In reply, the Garda Commissioner's office wrote to the Coroner on June 10th. It stated: "I am directed by the Commissioner to inform you that subsequent to your request for a Garda officer to give evidence at the Omagh bomb Inquest, it is felt that it would not be appropriate for Gardai to give evidence at this point in time.
"With a prosecution pending in this jurisdiction, we would not wish to compromise Garda testimony in any way prior to any court sitting."
Speaking after hearing the news, Michael Gallagher said relatives were extremely disappointed at the decision.
"We had heard so much of the good co-operation between the Gardai and the RUC on the investigation, and this was the first tangible way of proving that co-operation.
"We were led to believe that this was a 32-county investigation and therefore we think there should be participation by the Gardai."
Relatives of two of the Buncrana schoolboys killed in the blast were also said to be 'disappointed.'
Fr Shane Bradley CC, Buncrana said "This last few weeks has been an exploration of the truth and a sharing of information, some of it remarkably harrowing.
"This has happened without prejudicing any other proceedings, legal or otherwise. So overall there would be a sense of disappointment that the Gardai have chosen not to accept the Coroner's invitation" he added.
RELATIVES of those who died in the bombing have expressed their disappointment that members of the Garda would not be
giving evidence.
The decision not to put Garda on the witness stand following fears that it could compromise the forth coming trial in Dublin special Criminal court of a man who was charged in connection with the bombing. This week the hearing was told Coroner John Leckey had written to Garda Commissioner, Pat Byrne in June informing him of the inquests.
Mr Leckey's letter read: "I am aware that the Garda assisted the Royal Ulster Constabulary in the subsequent investigation and because of that I am considering whether it would be appropriate for one of your officers to give evidence at the inquest in addition to officers from the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
"My own view is that it would be desirable for one of your officers to give evidence as I am sure the families would wish to hear direct from the
Garda Siochana in addition to the Royal Ulster Constabulary."
In reply, the Garda Commissioner's office wrote to the Coroner on June 10th. It stated: "I am directed by the Commissioner to inform you that subsequent to your request for a Garda officer to give evidence at the Omagh bomb Inquest, it is felt that it would not be appropriate for Gardai to give evidence at this point in time.
"With a prosecution pending in this jurisdiction, we would not wish to compromise Garda testimony in any way prior to any court sitting."
Speaking after hearing the news, Michael Gallagher said relatives were extremely disappointed at the decision.
"We had heard so much of the good co-operation between the Gardai and the RUC on the investigation, and this was the first tangible way of proving that co-operation.
"We were led to believe that this was a 32-county investigation and therefore we think there should be participation by the Gardai."
Relatives of two of the Buncrana schoolboys killed in the blast were also said to be 'disappointed.'
Fr Shane Bradley CC, Buncrana said "This last few weeks has been an exploration of the truth and a sharing of information, some of it remarkably harrowing.
"This has happened without prejudicing any other proceedings, legal or otherwise. So overall there would be a sense of disappointment that the Gardai have chosen not to accept the Coroner's invitation" he added.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1481
Published Date: 28-Sep-00
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