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Omagh bomb plot intelligence ‘withheld’ says ombudsman Omagh bomb plot intelligence ‘withheld’ says ombudsman
(about 4 hours later)
Northern Ireland’s police ombudsman has accused special branch officers of holding back important information relating to the Omagh bomb massacre – the single biggest atrocity of the Ulster Troubles.Northern Ireland’s police ombudsman has accused special branch officers of holding back important information relating to the Omagh bomb massacre – the single biggest atrocity of the Ulster Troubles.
While stressing that the Real IRA bomb plot could not have been prevented, the ombudsman, Dr Michael Maguire, said the Royal Ulster Constabulary’s anti-terrorist unit withheld the telephone numbers of dissident republican suspects and other intelligence matters to the police investigating Omagh.While stressing that the Real IRA bomb plot could not have been prevented, the ombudsman, Dr Michael Maguire, said the Royal Ulster Constabulary’s anti-terrorist unit withheld the telephone numbers of dissident republican suspects and other intelligence matters to the police investigating Omagh.
Twenty-nine men, women and children were killed in the massive explosion that tore through the Co Tyrone market town in August 1998. One of the victims was a pregnant woman whose twins were almost full term when she died after the 500lb bomb exploded.Twenty-nine men, women and children were killed in the massive explosion that tore through the Co Tyrone market town in August 1998. One of the victims was a pregnant woman whose twins were almost full term when she died after the 500lb bomb exploded.
In the latest report into the unsolved atrocity, Maguire also highlighted the role GCHQ surveillance centre played in the police investigation.In the latest report into the unsolved atrocity, Maguire also highlighted the role GCHQ surveillance centre played in the police investigation.
Among those he interviewed was Sir Peter Gibson who led a government-backed review into the use of intelligence before and after the massacre.Among those he interviewed was Sir Peter Gibson who led a government-backed review into the use of intelligence before and after the massacre.
The police ombudsman said: “I am satisfied this action was as a result of the interpretation by special branch of both what Sir Peter’s report called ‘the strict conditions imposed by GCHQ’ on the RUC and the legislative framework which prevailed at the time and which, for all intents and purposes, is still in place, albeit in a different legislative form.The police ombudsman said: “I am satisfied this action was as a result of the interpretation by special branch of both what Sir Peter’s report called ‘the strict conditions imposed by GCHQ’ on the RUC and the legislative framework which prevailed at the time and which, for all intents and purposes, is still in place, albeit in a different legislative form.
“The view held by the relevant police officers was a reasonable one in the circumstances.”“The view held by the relevant police officers was a reasonable one in the circumstances.”
Maguire added that RUC special branch had not provided all the intelligence it held because of its interpretation of the law at that time and concerns breaches of the law could render evidence obtained inadmissible in court.Maguire added that RUC special branch had not provided all the intelligence it held because of its interpretation of the law at that time and concerns breaches of the law could render evidence obtained inadmissible in court.
“The consequence was that the police investigation was required to invest substantial resources in analysing related records, resources that might well have been better utilised at that early stage of the inquiry,” said Maguire.“The consequence was that the police investigation was required to invest substantial resources in analysing related records, resources that might well have been better utilised at that early stage of the inquiry,” said Maguire.
The police ombudsman outlined the findings of an investigation that focused specifically on certain intelligence obtained between 15 August and 9 September 1998, held by police.The police ombudsman outlined the findings of an investigation that focused specifically on certain intelligence obtained between 15 August and 9 September 1998, held by police.
But Michael Gallagher, the Omagh victims’ campaigner whose son Aiden was killed in the bombing said the findings did not go far enough. Gallagher repeated his demand that only a full cross-border public inquiry should be held into the circumstances surrounding the Real IRA bomb attack. But Michael Gallagher, the Omagh victims’ campaigner whose son Aiden was killed in the bombing, said the findings did not go far enough. Gallagher repeated his demand that only a full cross-border public inquiry should be held into the circumstances surrounding the Real IRA bomb attack.
Omagh victims have complained that police on both sides of the Irish border failed to act to thwart the attack on the town because they were running agents inside the Real IRA, and that some previous bombings were allowed to take place to bolster their reputation within the republican terror group.Omagh victims have complained that police on both sides of the Irish border failed to act to thwart the attack on the town because they were running agents inside the Real IRA, and that some previous bombings were allowed to take place to bolster their reputation within the republican terror group.
So far no one has been convicted for carrying out the attack which prompted some in the Real IRA to declare a ceasefire.So far no one has been convicted for carrying out the attack which prompted some in the Real IRA to declare a ceasefire.
In April, 43-year-old Seamus Daly from Culloville in Co Monaghan was charged with the Omagh murders. In April 43-year-old Seamus Daly from Culloville in Co Monaghan was charged with the Omagh murders.
Four men have also been ordered to pay more than £1.5m in damages to the victims’ families in a civil case. A judge ruled that the men – Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy and Daly – were all responsible for carrying out the atrocity.Four men have also been ordered to pay more than £1.5m in damages to the victims’ families in a civil case. A judge ruled that the men – Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy and Daly – were all responsible for carrying out the atrocity.