POLITICANS DEMAND PUBLIC INQUIRY
Politicians demand public inquiry
BY MICHAEL DEVLIN
m. devlin@ulsterherald. com
LOCAL politicians have reiterated calls for full cross border public inquiry into Omagh bomb.
Speaking in the wake of Tuesday's publication of a report by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty and SDLP chairman and West Tyrone Westminster candidate, Joe Byrne believe too many questions remain unanswered.
Mr Doherty said, "In the wake of the bomb in Omagh both governments and their state agencies promised the families of those killed that no stone would be left unturned in the pursuit of justice.
"The findings in today's report by the NI Affairs Committee are but further evidence that the Omagh families will not receive justice through the normal state
mechanisms.
"The reality is: The only mechanism which can deliver for these families, given the failure of the police investigations, is a full cross border public inquiry into the events before, during and after this horrific bombing."
Similarly, Joe Byrne reiterated the report's finding that the criminal justice system has failed to bring those responsible to justice.
He added, "I'm pleased this report has reached its conclusions. Unfortunately, as the report admits, it raises more questions that it provides answers for.
"We all have a responsibility, 12 years afterwards, to ensure that no effort is spared to bring those responsible for the horrific crime to justice. I believe these recommendations are quite brave and encouraging and they seek to provide further support to those who have believed for a long time that the authorities seemed somewhat reluctant to pursue those responsible.
"I welcome the report and hope it lends further support to the families' courageous campaign for justice.
"The least that those who were bereaved or injured have the right to expect are answers to those questions."
BY MICHAEL DEVLIN
m. devlin@ulsterherald. com
LOCAL politicians have reiterated calls for full cross border public inquiry into Omagh bomb.
Speaking in the wake of Tuesday's publication of a report by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty and SDLP chairman and West Tyrone Westminster candidate, Joe Byrne believe too many questions remain unanswered.
Mr Doherty said, "In the wake of the bomb in Omagh both governments and their state agencies promised the families of those killed that no stone would be left unturned in the pursuit of justice.
"The findings in today's report by the NI Affairs Committee are but further evidence that the Omagh families will not receive justice through the normal state
mechanisms.
"The reality is: The only mechanism which can deliver for these families, given the failure of the police investigations, is a full cross border public inquiry into the events before, during and after this horrific bombing."
Similarly, Joe Byrne reiterated the report's finding that the criminal justice system has failed to bring those responsible to justice.
He added, "I'm pleased this report has reached its conclusions. Unfortunately, as the report admits, it raises more questions that it provides answers for.
"We all have a responsibility, 12 years afterwards, to ensure that no effort is spared to bring those responsible for the horrific crime to justice. I believe these recommendations are quite brave and encouraging and they seek to provide further support to those who have believed for a long time that the authorities seemed somewhat reluctant to pursue those responsible.
"I welcome the report and hope it lends further support to the families' courageous campaign for justice.
"The least that those who were bereaved or injured have the right to expect are answers to those questions."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1992
Published Date: 18-Mar-10
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