OMAGH BOMB INVESTIGATION IS LARGEST MURDER ENQUIRY IN BRITISH ISLES
Omagh bomb investigation is largest murder enquiry
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
ALMOST 4,000 people have already been quizzed by a team of detectives probing the Omagh bombing, and the investigation into the explosion
which claimed 29 lives is currently the largest murder inquiry in the British Isles.
The scale of the inquiry into the August 15 bombing was revealed this week by the man leading the hunt for the bombers.
Detective Chief Superintendent, Eric Anderson also disclosed that over 30 detectives are currently assigned full-time to the investigation, with officers working on a daily basis with Gardai in a bid to trace those responsible for the atrocity.
Mr Anderson - who also led the hunt for the Greysteel murderers has made a fresh plea for anyone with information on the bombing, to come forward and help with inquiries.
The move comes as ITV's crime busting series 'Britain's Most Wanted' focuses next week on the hunt for those who carried out the Omagh bombing.
The show which will be broadcast on Friday 27 November is designed to widen the appeal for witnesses to the crime.
Following the path the bombers took on the afternoon of August 15 and featuring input from Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan, it is hoped the programme will provide fresh clues to the perpetrators' identity.
According to Mr Anderson, the reason for the thrust at this particular time is that, three months after the incident, police hope the TV appeal which will be carried throughout Europe will help them step up their hunt for the bombers.
"London Weekend Television want to run the story on Omagh at this time and we have found that to be most beneficial.
"We have carried out extensive interviews with them and the Chief Constable and myself accompanied them to the Northern Ireland Forensic Science Laboratories where we updated them on developments."
Central to the inquiry at the moment, according to Mr Anderson, are the two telephone boxes which were taken from South Armagh.
And he also appealed for anyone with information on where the false number plate - MDZ 5211 - was manufactured, to come forward immediately.
"The other important issue we're looking at, of course, is the remains of the bomb which is also a very important piece of evidence. "The timer power unit was contained in an Addis lunchbox which is also a very important part of the evidence we have gathered.
"In the Forensic Science Laboratories we sifted about 30 tons of rubble taken from the bomb scene, and as a consequence of that we have been able to piece together the type of bomb, type of explosives and the fact that it was approximately 300lbs of home-made explosives with what we call a booster charge."
Similar devices have been used in the past, and detectives have been able to positively link the bomb to others recently found or exploded.
The inquiry team has already interviewed up to 4,000 people in connection with the incident, and detectives are still wait speak some of those seriously injured in the blast.
A number of waitresses have yet to quizzed and up to ten Spanish victims still have to be interviewed by detectives from their home country.
Two of those still receiving treatment for burns and shrapnel injuries at the Royal Victoria Hospital have also yet to make statements.
Over 30 detectives are still working on the case. And according to Mr Anderson, that team is increased as the need arises.
"It never goes any smaller than the 30-odd detectives who are on it full time. But it is enlarged from time to time, depending on what develops during the course of the enquiry.
"We're quite happy to bring in additional resources from our Serious Crime Squad in Belfast to pursue those urgent enquiries which need looked at across the water or anywhere else in Northern Ireland" he added.
The RUC is also working closely with members of the Garda Siochana, a move which Mr Anderson believes has enormous benefits.
"We have information technology links with them in order to exchange information and to answer queries.
"Because there is a complete cross-border dimension in this, we are totally inter-dependent on one another" he added.
Calls are still coming in to the incident room set up at Omagh RUC station, and the police chief has appealed to anyone with further information to get in touch.
"We're always willing to listen and talk and we're still observing our promise of confidentiality.
"If people want to ring they can ask talk to us in confidence or if they wish to come forward as a witness, we're still quite happy to do that. Whatever their wishes are, we will comply" he added.
The RUC say there is still a great determination on the part of police to pursue the investigation and all resources required have already been channelled into the investigation.
Efforts to detect those responsible for the atrocity will not be scaled down in the foreseeable future, added a spokesperson.
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
ALMOST 4,000 people have already been quizzed by a team of detectives probing the Omagh bombing, and the investigation into the explosion
which claimed 29 lives is currently the largest murder inquiry in the British Isles.
The scale of the inquiry into the August 15 bombing was revealed this week by the man leading the hunt for the bombers.
Detective Chief Superintendent, Eric Anderson also disclosed that over 30 detectives are currently assigned full-time to the investigation, with officers working on a daily basis with Gardai in a bid to trace those responsible for the atrocity.
Mr Anderson - who also led the hunt for the Greysteel murderers has made a fresh plea for anyone with information on the bombing, to come forward and help with inquiries.
The move comes as ITV's crime busting series 'Britain's Most Wanted' focuses next week on the hunt for those who carried out the Omagh bombing.
The show which will be broadcast on Friday 27 November is designed to widen the appeal for witnesses to the crime.
Following the path the bombers took on the afternoon of August 15 and featuring input from Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan, it is hoped the programme will provide fresh clues to the perpetrators' identity.
According to Mr Anderson, the reason for the thrust at this particular time is that, three months after the incident, police hope the TV appeal which will be carried throughout Europe will help them step up their hunt for the bombers.
"London Weekend Television want to run the story on Omagh at this time and we have found that to be most beneficial.
"We have carried out extensive interviews with them and the Chief Constable and myself accompanied them to the Northern Ireland Forensic Science Laboratories where we updated them on developments."
Central to the inquiry at the moment, according to Mr Anderson, are the two telephone boxes which were taken from South Armagh.
And he also appealed for anyone with information on where the false number plate - MDZ 5211 - was manufactured, to come forward immediately.
"The other important issue we're looking at, of course, is the remains of the bomb which is also a very important piece of evidence. "The timer power unit was contained in an Addis lunchbox which is also a very important part of the evidence we have gathered.
"In the Forensic Science Laboratories we sifted about 30 tons of rubble taken from the bomb scene, and as a consequence of that we have been able to piece together the type of bomb, type of explosives and the fact that it was approximately 300lbs of home-made explosives with what we call a booster charge."
Similar devices have been used in the past, and detectives have been able to positively link the bomb to others recently found or exploded.
The inquiry team has already interviewed up to 4,000 people in connection with the incident, and detectives are still wait speak some of those seriously injured in the blast.
A number of waitresses have yet to quizzed and up to ten Spanish victims still have to be interviewed by detectives from their home country.
Two of those still receiving treatment for burns and shrapnel injuries at the Royal Victoria Hospital have also yet to make statements.
Over 30 detectives are still working on the case. And according to Mr Anderson, that team is increased as the need arises.
"It never goes any smaller than the 30-odd detectives who are on it full time. But it is enlarged from time to time, depending on what develops during the course of the enquiry.
"We're quite happy to bring in additional resources from our Serious Crime Squad in Belfast to pursue those urgent enquiries which need looked at across the water or anywhere else in Northern Ireland" he added.
The RUC is also working closely with members of the Garda Siochana, a move which Mr Anderson believes has enormous benefits.
"We have information technology links with them in order to exchange information and to answer queries.
"Because there is a complete cross-border dimension in this, we are totally inter-dependent on one another" he added.
Calls are still coming in to the incident room set up at Omagh RUC station, and the police chief has appealed to anyone with further information to get in touch.
"We're always willing to listen and talk and we're still observing our promise of confidentiality.
"If people want to ring they can ask talk to us in confidence or if they wish to come forward as a witness, we're still quite happy to do that. Whatever their wishes are, we will comply" he added.
The RUC say there is still a great determination on the part of police to pursue the investigation and all resources required have already been channelled into the investigation.
Efforts to detect those responsible for the atrocity will not be scaled down in the foreseeable future, added a spokesperson.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1701
Published Date: 19-Nov-98
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