NATIONAL FRONT JUMPING ON OMAGH BOMB BANDWAGON
National Front 'jumping on Omagh bomb bandwagon'
By JOHN McCUSKER
THE Chairman of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group has distanced himself from protests outside a London pub where relatives of those who died in the Market Street explosion recently confronted a fundraising event on behalf of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement.
Seven people were arrested outside The Cock Tavern in Euston following opposing demonstrations last Tuesday night organised by the National Front and the Anti-Nazi League.
The protests came days after relatives of those who died in the Omagh bombing challenged members of the 32 County grouping involved in fundraising at the north London venue.
This week, Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aiden died in the August 1998 explosion, called on those involved to put a halt to their protests, accusing them of using the situation to further their own extremist views.
Police say 10 members of the radical National Front organisation turned up at the rally outside the Irish-run bar. Around 60-70 members of the left-wing Anti-Nazi League organised a counter demonstration.
The opposing groups were kept apart by 100 police officers and three riot vans.
A police spokesperson said the seven arrested had all been from the ANL demo.
Criticising those involved in the protests, Michael Gallagher said relatives were not supportive of the fact that an extreme grouping such as the NF had become embroiled in the situation.
He said: "We wouldn't take any comfort at all from the fact that the National Front would try to take advantage of the situation.
"Relatives take exception that they have jumped on the bandwagon and we would oppose all groupings holding extreme views.
"We would now call for a halt to all these protests."
In a statement posted on the Anti-Nazi League's website, Mr Gallagher pointed out that it was not their intention to cause disruption for those living in the area.
The statement read: "We went to London to contact a group of people fundraising for the people who bombed Omagh and have carried out the four bomb attacks since the Omagh bomb in London.
"It was never our intention to cause any disruption to the people in the premises or in the neighbourhood we went to.
"We think it would be wrong if anyone uses these circumstances, whatever their reason, to inflict their views on anyone else.
"We would like to thank the local community for their support on that occasion. The families within our group are not motivated by politics or religion but by the love of their lost relations, and we respect the right of all cultures, religions and people of political beliefs."
The National Front has vowed to 'shut down' The Cock Tavern and plans to target the pub with weekly demonstrations. A further demo was hold on Tuesday night of this week.
A spokesperson for the grouping said they would only call off their protest when a letter of apology was sent to the victims of the Omagh attack.
By JOHN McCUSKER
THE Chairman of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group has distanced himself from protests outside a London pub where relatives of those who died in the Market Street explosion recently confronted a fundraising event on behalf of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement.
Seven people were arrested outside The Cock Tavern in Euston following opposing demonstrations last Tuesday night organised by the National Front and the Anti-Nazi League.
The protests came days after relatives of those who died in the Omagh bombing challenged members of the 32 County grouping involved in fundraising at the north London venue.
This week, Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aiden died in the August 1998 explosion, called on those involved to put a halt to their protests, accusing them of using the situation to further their own extremist views.
Police say 10 members of the radical National Front organisation turned up at the rally outside the Irish-run bar. Around 60-70 members of the left-wing Anti-Nazi League organised a counter demonstration.
The opposing groups were kept apart by 100 police officers and three riot vans.
A police spokesperson said the seven arrested had all been from the ANL demo.
Criticising those involved in the protests, Michael Gallagher said relatives were not supportive of the fact that an extreme grouping such as the NF had become embroiled in the situation.
He said: "We wouldn't take any comfort at all from the fact that the National Front would try to take advantage of the situation.
"Relatives take exception that they have jumped on the bandwagon and we would oppose all groupings holding extreme views.
"We would now call for a halt to all these protests."
In a statement posted on the Anti-Nazi League's website, Mr Gallagher pointed out that it was not their intention to cause disruption for those living in the area.
The statement read: "We went to London to contact a group of people fundraising for the people who bombed Omagh and have carried out the four bomb attacks since the Omagh bomb in London.
"It was never our intention to cause any disruption to the people in the premises or in the neighbourhood we went to.
"We think it would be wrong if anyone uses these circumstances, whatever their reason, to inflict their views on anyone else.
"We would like to thank the local community for their support on that occasion. The families within our group are not motivated by politics or religion but by the love of their lost relations, and we respect the right of all cultures, religions and people of political beliefs."
The National Front has vowed to 'shut down' The Cock Tavern and plans to target the pub with weekly demonstrations. A further demo was hold on Tuesday night of this week.
A spokesperson for the grouping said they would only call off their protest when a letter of apology was sent to the victims of the Omagh attack.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1524
Published Date: 07-Dec-00
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