THREE QUESTIONED OVER OMAGH BOMB
Three questioned over Omagh bomb
By ADRIAN MULLAN
Gardai in Monaghan are still questioning three suspects, arrested on Tuesday, in connection with the Omagh bomb. The three men where arrested in early morning swoops on their homes along the border.
It is understood a special Gardai team known as the Emergency Response Unit was involved in the arrests.
The three men, all of whom are in their twenties, were arrested in Co. Louth and Co. Monaghan under the Republic's new anti-terrorism legislation.
The Gardai extended the period of detention to allow further questioning. Under the present legislation, suspects can be held for twenty four hours, after which time officers must apply to a senior officer for a further 24 hour period of detention. For yet a further 24 hour period, officers must apply to the Courts.
The arrests follow closely on the heels of a Panorama programme which identified a number of men which it believed were connected with the Omagh bombing. Gardai had been accused of leaking information to the programme an accusation strongly denied.
In the Dail on Wednesday, Fine Gael TD, Brian Harvey, insisted that nothing should be allowed to stand in the way of the investigation into the
Omagh bombing.
Allegations had appeared in a national newspaper suggesting that a decision by the Gardai not to recruit super grasses to aid the investigation was political.
The article claimed that the authorities feared that any such move would would alienate republicans.
Only one man has thus far been charged in connection with the Omagh bombing, Colm Murphy, a builder and publican was charged some time ago with conspiring to cause an explosion. It is understood that he is currently on bail pending his trial.
A Dundalk farmer, Liam Campbell, has been charged with membership of an illegal organisation namely Oglaigh na hEireann the Irish Republican Army.
Meanwhile, the 'Real' IRA, who murdered thirty one people in Omagh in August 1998, have been issuing threats of reprisals against those whom they believe were responsible for the assassination of its member, Joseph O'Connor in Ballymurphy on Friday.
O'Connor's mother has alleged that the Provisional IRA were involved in the killing, an allegation refuted by the Provisionals.
Omagh Councillor and Chairman of the Thirty Two County Sovereignty Committee, Francis, has called for a full inquiry into the shooting, if further friction within 'the republican family' is to be avoided.
By ADRIAN MULLAN
Gardai in Monaghan are still questioning three suspects, arrested on Tuesday, in connection with the Omagh bomb. The three men where arrested in early morning swoops on their homes along the border.
It is understood a special Gardai team known as the Emergency Response Unit was involved in the arrests.
The three men, all of whom are in their twenties, were arrested in Co. Louth and Co. Monaghan under the Republic's new anti-terrorism legislation.
The Gardai extended the period of detention to allow further questioning. Under the present legislation, suspects can be held for twenty four hours, after which time officers must apply to a senior officer for a further 24 hour period of detention. For yet a further 24 hour period, officers must apply to the Courts.
The arrests follow closely on the heels of a Panorama programme which identified a number of men which it believed were connected with the Omagh bombing. Gardai had been accused of leaking information to the programme an accusation strongly denied.
In the Dail on Wednesday, Fine Gael TD, Brian Harvey, insisted that nothing should be allowed to stand in the way of the investigation into the
Omagh bombing.
Allegations had appeared in a national newspaper suggesting that a decision by the Gardai not to recruit super grasses to aid the investigation was political.
The article claimed that the authorities feared that any such move would would alienate republicans.
Only one man has thus far been charged in connection with the Omagh bombing, Colm Murphy, a builder and publican was charged some time ago with conspiring to cause an explosion. It is understood that he is currently on bail pending his trial.
A Dundalk farmer, Liam Campbell, has been charged with membership of an illegal organisation namely Oglaigh na hEireann the Irish Republican Army.
Meanwhile, the 'Real' IRA, who murdered thirty one people in Omagh in August 1998, have been issuing threats of reprisals against those whom they believe were responsible for the assassination of its member, Joseph O'Connor in Ballymurphy on Friday.
O'Connor's mother has alleged that the Provisional IRA were involved in the killing, an allegation refuted by the Provisionals.
Omagh Councillor and Chairman of the Thirty Two County Sovereignty Committee, Francis, has called for a full inquiry into the shooting, if further friction within 'the republican family' is to be avoided.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1510
Published Date: 19-Oct-00
Related Images
