TWO QUESTIONED ON OMAGH BOMB ATTACK
Two questioned on Omagh bomb attack
BY JACQUELINE COURTNEY
THE FIRST arrests in connection with the Omagh bombing in almost five years has been hailed as a significant breakthrough in the case.
The arrests in South Armagh, understood to be of a husband and wife, are the first by police north of the border and they came early on Tuesday morning - raising hopes for justice for the victims and families.
The couple were arrested in a massive operation which involved up to 200 police and army personnel, some deployed by helicopters.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was among the 29 people killed in the explosion, welcomed the high-profile arrests which he described as a 'major breakthrough'.
He told the UlsterHerald he was keeping his fingers crossed that if those arrested were charged, their preliminary hearing would be at Omagh Courthouse - "the very courthouse they said they intended to blow up".
He stressed it was important the PSNI and the gardai continue to pursue those who perpetrated the Omagh bombing and his group hoped that Tuesday's operation was evidence of that.
"We had discussions with the police team before the anniversary and they assured us that Omagh was still the largest murder inquiry in the North," said Mr Gallagher.
He also revealed that relatives would be meeting the Republic's Justice Minister, Michael McDowell next week to find out what stage the investigation is at in the South.
SDLP MLA and Policing Board member, Joe Byrne also welcomed the arrests and said all efforts must be pursued by the PSNI and the Garda to bring justice to anyone associated or involved in the Omagh bombing.
"It is imperative for public confidence in policing that the criminal investigation is successful in apprehending those responsible for the worst bombing atrocity of the Troubles in the North of Ireland," he said.
The arrested pair were still being being questioned at Gough Barracks in Armagh as the UlsterHerald went to press. They can be held for 48 hours before being charged, released or an application lodged to hold them for further questioning. It is understood that a number of items, including a small red van, were seized and will undergo detailed forensic examination for any link to dissident Republican crimes. It is believed the arrests are being linked to a specific line of inquiry involving one of the cars used in the August 15,1998 atrocity.
So far only one person, Colm Murphy, has been convicted in connection with the bombing. Last month former Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt who along with Murphy are being sued by Omagh relatives through the civil courts was sentenced to 20 years for directing terrorism.
A new team has been installed to probe the bombing and a review of all evidence including forensic has been carried out.
Detective Superintendent Norman Baxter, who oversees the inquiry, insisted it was 'still very much a live investigation' and confirmed that officers were progressing a number of active lines of inquiry.
"I can assure the victims, the people of Omagh and the wider public that we remain firm in our resolve to bring those responsible to account," he said.
BY JACQUELINE COURTNEY
THE FIRST arrests in connection with the Omagh bombing in almost five years has been hailed as a significant breakthrough in the case.
The arrests in South Armagh, understood to be of a husband and wife, are the first by police north of the border and they came early on Tuesday morning - raising hopes for justice for the victims and families.
The couple were arrested in a massive operation which involved up to 200 police and army personnel, some deployed by helicopters.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was among the 29 people killed in the explosion, welcomed the high-profile arrests which he described as a 'major breakthrough'.
He told the UlsterHerald he was keeping his fingers crossed that if those arrested were charged, their preliminary hearing would be at Omagh Courthouse - "the very courthouse they said they intended to blow up".
He stressed it was important the PSNI and the gardai continue to pursue those who perpetrated the Omagh bombing and his group hoped that Tuesday's operation was evidence of that.
"We had discussions with the police team before the anniversary and they assured us that Omagh was still the largest murder inquiry in the North," said Mr Gallagher.
He also revealed that relatives would be meeting the Republic's Justice Minister, Michael McDowell next week to find out what stage the investigation is at in the South.
SDLP MLA and Policing Board member, Joe Byrne also welcomed the arrests and said all efforts must be pursued by the PSNI and the Garda to bring justice to anyone associated or involved in the Omagh bombing.
"It is imperative for public confidence in policing that the criminal investigation is successful in apprehending those responsible for the worst bombing atrocity of the Troubles in the North of Ireland," he said.
The arrested pair were still being being questioned at Gough Barracks in Armagh as the UlsterHerald went to press. They can be held for 48 hours before being charged, released or an application lodged to hold them for further questioning. It is understood that a number of items, including a small red van, were seized and will undergo detailed forensic examination for any link to dissident Republican crimes. It is believed the arrests are being linked to a specific line of inquiry involving one of the cars used in the August 15,1998 atrocity.
So far only one person, Colm Murphy, has been convicted in connection with the bombing. Last month former Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt who along with Murphy are being sued by Omagh relatives through the civil courts was sentenced to 20 years for directing terrorism.
A new team has been installed to probe the bombing and a review of all evidence including forensic has been carried out.
Detective Superintendent Norman Baxter, who oversees the inquiry, insisted it was 'still very much a live investigation' and confirmed that officers were progressing a number of active lines of inquiry.
"I can assure the victims, the people of Omagh and the wider public that we remain firm in our resolve to bring those responsible to account," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1609
Published Date: 04--Sep-2003
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