MCDOWELL THREATENS NO MORE MEETINGS WITH OMAGH FAMILIES
McDowell threatens no more meetings with Omagh families
THERE is real vehemence in Omagh over the serious delay in sending DNA samples of two Real IRA suspects to the Omagh bomb investigators.
The team have been waiting for a year to have the samples forwarded an issue which has caused great anger among relatives of the 29 victims.
The contentious matter was raised during a heated meeting with Irish Justice Minister Michael McDowell recently.
According to the relatives the samples were requested by the PSNI investigation team in June of last year.
The DNA samples could link the two men from the Republic to the 1998 bombing.
Michael Gallagher said that despite a written request from the PSNI, the samples had yet to be provided.
"We hear so much from ministers and prime ministers in both jurisdictions, hailing the great co-operation between the PSNI and Gardai," he said.
And he continued "Is it any wonder why people get angry about how this investigation has been handled."
During the meeting another relative, had a direct confrontation with Mr McDowell who intimated he may decline further meetings with the Omagh group in the future.
Mr Wilson, who lost his teenager daughter in the attack, said he was 'appalled' at the minister's attitude.
"At one stage I said that politicians were 'lying through their teeth', and he demanded I withdraw that remark, but I wouldn't.
"Politicians are doing deals behind the backs of the victims and they don't care about delivering justice to the relatives.
"McDowell really irritated me and I refused to withdraw the remark," said an enraged Mr Wilson.
THERE is real vehemence in Omagh over the serious delay in sending DNA samples of two Real IRA suspects to the Omagh bomb investigators.
The team have been waiting for a year to have the samples forwarded an issue which has caused great anger among relatives of the 29 victims.
The contentious matter was raised during a heated meeting with Irish Justice Minister Michael McDowell recently.
According to the relatives the samples were requested by the PSNI investigation team in June of last year.
The DNA samples could link the two men from the Republic to the 1998 bombing.
Michael Gallagher said that despite a written request from the PSNI, the samples had yet to be provided.
"We hear so much from ministers and prime ministers in both jurisdictions, hailing the great co-operation between the PSNI and Gardai," he said.
And he continued "Is it any wonder why people get angry about how this investigation has been handled."
During the meeting another relative, had a direct confrontation with Mr McDowell who intimated he may decline further meetings with the Omagh group in the future.
Mr Wilson, who lost his teenager daughter in the attack, said he was 'appalled' at the minister's attitude.
"At one stage I said that politicians were 'lying through their teeth', and he demanded I withdraw that remark, but I wouldn't.
"Politicians are doing deals behind the backs of the victims and they don't care about delivering justice to the relatives.
"McDowell really irritated me and I refused to withdraw the remark," said an enraged Mr Wilson.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1671
Published Date: 10-Jun-04
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