Calls for New Omagh Bomb Investigation

A group comprising of family members and victims of the Omagh Bomb in 1997, has been calling for a new independent and international inquiry into the attacks.

The new Deputy First Minister for Northern Ireland, Martin McGuiness has spoken of his support for an ivestigation.

'"Republicans would be only too glad to co-operate with any independent, international investigation into the bomb explosion, because we think the PSNI (Police Service) themselves have questions to answer. There's a very strong belief within Irish Republicanism that the PSNI not alone failed to investigate the Omagh bomb properly, but the RUC actually knew about the bomb before it took place."

Only one man has been charged with the Omagh murders, south Armagh electrician Sean Hoey.

A judge is due to deliver his verdict later this year after studying masses of evidence presented during Hoey`s trial in Belfast.

But with Sinn Fein set to take their three seats on the Policing Board after backing Northern Ireland`s criminal justice arrangements, party representatives could now raise the case at the authority.

Mr McGuinness signalled his party`s determination to get answers.

"There are serious questions to be asked about the Omagh bomb investigation," he told the Ulster Herald newspaper.

"Nobody knows more about what happened than (the PSNI), and there`s a very strong argument for an international, independent investigation into the Omagh bomb investigation and the actual bomb explosion itself."'

EddyBlack said:

"Nobody knows more about what happened than (the PSNI), and there`s a very strong argument for an international, independent investigation into the Omagh bomb investigation and the actual bomb explosion itself."'

Click to expand...

I would have thought noone would know more about what happened than the people who carried it out...

EddyBlack said:

Mr McGuinness signalled his party`s determination to get answers.

"There are serious questions to be asked about the Omagh bomb investigation," he told the Ulster Herald newspaper.
'

Click to expand...

Such as how did the CIRA get the bomb making equipment and expertise, in the first place, Mr former IRA Chief of Staff.

8den said:

Such as how did the CIRA get the bomb making equipment and expertise, in the first place, Mr former IRA Chief of Staff.

Click to expand...

I imagine it is not too difficult if one puts one's mind to it. After all, if the Brits can do it…and, they’ve been successfully blowing up people for centuries.

As far as how the Real IRA got the bomb making staff and equipment- they where in the IRA, they had just branched off, I assume some of them knew how to make bombs. Or have I missed something 8den?

Perhaps greater co-operation from the republican side will now be possible under the new power sharing structure. The republicans where reluctant to co-operate in the past with what was then a British justice system.

EddyBlack said:

British justice system.

Click to expand...

The British justice system and Ireland? It’s not a comfortable coupling is it? There’s a certain ironic incongruity to any concept of the British meting out justice in Ireland.

agricola said:

I would have thought noone would know more about what happened than the people who carried it out...

Click to expand...

Good luck getting them to take part in the investigation.

Here a background summary. It’s a complex story,

The present situation as I understand it is:

Convictions:

There have been no convictions for the murders. One man has been convicted for being involved in the plot Colm Murphy

One man has been put on trial for the murders – Sean Hoey. His trial began in September 2006 and is still ongoing. He is charged with placing the car bomb that killed 29 people in 1998.

Detailed Prior Warnings:

The victims' families have been calling for a full Cross Border Public Enquiry into the attack and the behaviour of the police before and after the bomb.

Former agent and ‘whistleblower’ Kevin Fulton had infiltrated the IRA. He
alleged that he had warned security services in advance of an attack. He claimed this information could have prevented the attack if it was acted upon. His warnings did not specifically mention Omagh, but gave information about suspects, possible plots and the location of bomb making factories.

The allegations where investigated in 2001 by the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan. BBC

‘Mrs O'Loan said: "My conclusion is that even if reasonable action had been taken on the information from Fulton, it is unlikely that the Omagh bomb could have been prevented."’

However, O’Loan’s investigation also found that there was another warning by an anonymous caller which specifically mentioned an attack in Omagh on the 15th August, the day of the bombing. The warning was not acted upon by Special Branch. If it had been, and it should have been, the attack could have probably been prevented.

Developments Since 2001 Ombudsman’s Report.

The 'Nally Report' investigated claims that the Garda failed to pass on information to the RUC about the Omagh bomb plot and allowed it to happen. The Nally report denied the claims.

Family members have been calling for a full cross border public enquiry. Michael Gallagher, Chairman of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, (and father of a bomb victim) has said that the report is inadequate because it did not include the evidence of, Paddy Dixon.

‘Dixon was the most important police informer (Garda) inside the Real IRA in the crucial months leading up to the 1998 Omagh bombing, which left 29 dead…

In total, five Real IRA bombing missions were thwarted, thanks to Dixon's intelligence. But in order to give Dixon credibility within the terrorist organsation… the Garda ordered that a number of attacks be allowed through. They included a massive bomb attack that devastated Moira in February 1998. No one died in the blast, but the next sortie allowed through, however, would have far more serious consequences.’ Observer

In short, Dixon claims the Omagh bomb was allowed to go ahead. Again, Nuala O’Loan is convinced Dixon is credible.

"The puzzle remains - why won't the Garda let Paddy Dixon talk to the PSNI?'" - Michael Gallagher.

...

EddyBlack said:

As far as how the Real IRA got the bomb making staff and equipment- they where in the IRA, they had just branched off, I assume some of them knew how to make bombs. Or have I missed something 8den?

Perhaps greater co-operation from the republican side will now be possible under the new power sharing structure. The republicans where reluctant to co-operate in the past with what was then a British justice system.

Click to expand...

The republicans are relutant to co-operate period. They feel they've done enough done and dusted, its all over. They're trying to get their guilty men out of prison and don't fancy sending any more in. Frankly SFs election debacle down south will put the shits up them, and they've realised they've alienated their base. They're not going to keep doing so, by helping to hand over republicans, even dissent republicans, to face justice.

As to The PSNI, ombudsman, I've actually met O'Loan, a number of years ago I was invited to particpate in a debate in UCD alongside her. A phenominal woman, hard as fucking nails, ruthless, and relentless. She's easily got the toughest policing job in Europe, and she's done an incredible job, and had the head of the chief of the RUC over Omagh. But I don't think she can do anymore. That was years ago, and she's not made any real progress since that, and if anyone could it's her.

The Garda are the most conversative, tight lipped police force, in Europe. You only need to look at the debcale in Donegal to see that. I've testified aganist five of them. Five years ago at an RTS, they got completely out of hand in Dublin city, hospitalisingly 23 people. I got it on video. Of the 150 coppers on duty 123 refused to give statements, and the rest refused to identify anyone. And these were beat Garda. When you are talking about Omagh, you're dealing with special branch. Not even with the newly former Garda ombudsman, will we see any change on this matter.

So Eddy, in conclusion, you've got the toughest police regulator in the western world hitting a brick wall. Another police force with no interest in having its inner workings exposed to daylight. And Finally a republican party who have just had their ass handed to them, by their electorial base, for just joining the police board.

And you really think there will be movement on this?

You’ve certainly shed some light on the situation in Ireland.

You say that Sinn Fein has been battered in the recent Irish elections because of its co-operation in the North with Paisley. .

I agree that it would seem suicidal politically to alienate their electoral base in Ireland further by co-operating and helping to hand over the ‘dissent republicans’. McGuinness’ comments where of course made before these elections. Perhaps he will have a more cautious approach now.

Getting justice for the victims is made even more complicated by politics. This makes McGuinness’ comments surprising.

8den said:

The Garda are the most conversative, tight lipped police force, in Europe. You only need to look at the debcale in Donegal to see that. I've testified aganist five of them. Five years ago at an RTS, they got completely out of hand in Dublin city, hospitalisingly 23 people. I got it on video. Of the 150 coppers on duty 123 refused to give statements, and the rest refused to identify anyone. And these were beat Garda. When you are talking about Omagh, you're dealing with special branch. Not even with the newly former Garda ombudsman, will we see any change on this matter.

So Eddy, in conclusion, you've got the toughest police regulator in the western world hitting a brick wall. Another police force with no interest in having its inner workings exposed to daylight. And Finally a republican party who have just had their ass handed to them, by their electorial base, for just joining the police board.

And you really think there will be movement on this?

Click to expand...

Who is this new ombudsman person? Not sure what you mean. Its still Nuala O’Loan at the moment.

Besides, they know who they want to speak to, Paddy Dixon. To get the new inquiry, they need support in both governments, whether the Garda and the PSNI would want to co-operate is beside the point. If Mcguinness supports this, and this is surprising, then I think Michael Gallagher and his group might be getting somewhere.

EddyBlack said:

You’ve certainly shed some light on the situation in Ireland.

You say that Sinn Fein has been battered in the recent Irish elections because of its co-operation in the North with Paisley. .

Click to expand...

Yes Sinn Fein lost a seat in the elections, before the election was called there was talk they could form part of the government, and even triple their seats, they scrapped in their last seat, and their single MEP (who was standing for the Dail) looks vunerable.

SF had the most effective and dedicated grassroots political organisation in the country, however due to mix of frustration with the parties, anti iraq war stance, while the leadership stayed close to the Bush administration. And the joining of the police board, alot of grassroots party members have left in disgust. The policing board isn't the only issue mind. Adams performed dreadfully during the debates, and SFs election manifesto was an incoherant absurd mess.

I agree that it would seem suicidal politically to alienate their electoral base in Ireland further by co-operating and helping to hand over the ‘dissent republicans’. McGuinness’ comments where of course made before these elections. Perhaps he will have a more cautious approach now.

Click to expand...

It could depend on who the new Irish government is. No matter what there will be a new minister for justice. If Fianna Fail form a new government I sincerely doubt that they'll want a further investigation. They were in power when Omagh happened

Getting justice for the victims is made even more complicated by politics. This makes McGuinness’ comments surprising.

Click to expand...

Making platitutes about victims and justice doesn't cost a penny.

Who is this new ombudsman person? Not sure what you mean. Its still Nuala O’Loan at the moment.

Click to expand...

I am refering to the newly formed Garda Ombudsman.

It was an election promise by every party that a Garda Ombudsman would be set up. It was an election promise last election. They only got round to setting it up, just before the election just passed, despite having a perfect example of how it should be done, across the board. It met with fantasticly strong resistance from the Garda Representive Association.

Besides, they know who they want to speak to, Paddy Dixon. To get the new inquiry, they need support in both governments, whether the Garda and the PSNI would want to co-operate is beside the point.

Click to expand...

No, Garda and PSNI co-operation is crucial. If you are trying to investigate intelligence failures by two police forces, obstufication from the police will stall the investigation

If Mcguinness supports this, and this is surprising, then I think Michael Gallagher and his group might be getting somewhere.

Click to expand...

Sorry Adams and McGuiness have been throwing platitutes at the Omagh victims families for 7 years. You're talking SF here. This is an organisation that refuses to catergorise the murder of Jean McConville, as a crime, over 25 years after the IRA gunned her down. Gallagher's going nowhere, tragically.

Police either A fucked up accidently or B delibertily let it happen for what ever reason .
Either way dosent let the people off who planted the bomb in the first place

Sean Hoey was today found not guilty of involvement in the Omagh bomb attack.

The judge has strongly criticised the polices' actions in this case.

Victim family member spokesman, Michael Gallagher, repeated his calls for a full cross border enquiry into the attack, as this thread has discussed previously.

Man not guilty of omagh bomb murders - BBC

Michael Gallagher's statement after today's not guilty verdict for Sean Hoey.
Statement

Michael Gallagher : “We are aware that there are people in the intelligence service who have information that could have convicted the people responsible for the Omagh bombing. And what we have also experienced is – we have seen people who have come forward and can help, and what has happened to those people?

We have seen them being castigated by the authorities, we’ve seen character assassinations on them and even criminal cases brought against them. And I’m thinking of people who have payed a heavy price for this.

Detective Seargent John White, Kevin Fulton, and others; who have come forward and offered their help and have been rejected. And I think that now, the both governments after what we have experienced today and over the last nine and a half years, cannot refuse the families a full cross border public enquiry so that we can get to some degree, to the truth and end the public sight of Omagh.”

Reporter: “Can I ask you just briefly. Police officers lying in court, a cavalier disregard to evidence, you must not be happy with how this case has gone and you must feel that the police have questions to answer.”

Michael Gallagher: “Well we’ll certainly er… be coming for a meeting earlier next year with the Chief Constable and the Secretary of State. I think its … its just beyond belief what we have had to put up with over the last nine and a half years.” Continues to criticize police investigations…

He spoke again in the same manner, on Channel 4 News tonight,

As he continues, it becomes clear that Gallagher believes there are ‘at least ten’ high level informants, I would assume former informants by now, who know the identity of the bombers. Like for instance Kevin Fulton, and others spoken about in this thread. These informants of course have not been included in any ‘full cross border public enquiry’. I think the investigations of former NI Police Ombudsmen Nuala O’Loan have shown that this is necessary.
Not least because the full story of the state’s failiure to intercept the bomb, or manage the threat, has not been revealed. These same undercover agents provided, in some cases highly specific and urgent warnings to their handlers, which where not acted upon.

EddyBlack said:

He spoke again in the same manner, on Channel 4 News tonight,

As he continues, it becomes clear that Gallagher believes there are ‘at least ten’ high level informants, I would assume former informants by now, who know the identity of the bombers. Like for instance Kevin Fulton, and others spoken about in this thread. These informants of course have not been included in any ‘full cross border public enquiry’. I think the investigations of former NI Police Ombudsmen Nuala O’Loan have shown that this is necessary.
Not least because the full story of the state’s failiure to intercept the bomb, or manage the threat, has not been revealed. These same undercover agents provided, in some cases highly specific and urgent warnings to their handlers, which where not acted upon.

Click to expand...

Channel 4s report before they interviewed Gallagher was saying almost the same things. Although I wasnt entirely satisfied with the report, it was certainly along the same lines as everything Gallagher has been saying, and all of these other people we have discussed in this thread.

Wonder what Newsnights coverage will be...

BBC News at Ten coverage was absolute shite. Not one mention of the things we have talked about here. Whereas Channel 4 where all over it.

BBC spent half of the report in interviewing geeky looking scientists about the technicalities and faults of the DNA evidence used in the case.

Newsnight better be good.

Newsnight focused entirely on the DNA evidence issue.

If there is an independent investigation by Northern Irish sources only, be they Republicans or Unionists, that is a good thing, but i'm skeptical.

trouble is if you have informants in place in a group of murderous fuckwits like the CIRA.
you use all the intelligence they provide every op gets blown and your informant gets tortured to death and the info dries up and the murderous fuckwits continue
but if one bomb gets though Omagh happens which put the end to the CIRA
its a no win situation SF blaming the police is a bit rich rich its the fuckers who think car bombs are the answer.
SF would love a huge inquiry about special branch and intelligence fling enough mud and it will stick CIRA set out that day to commit mass murder

Considering the mess they have made of the bloody sunday enquiry.I doubt justice is going to be done for the victims of Omagh anytime soon .
The police and the Inteligence services messed up .And the bombers have escaped .
All we can hope is stuff like this remains in history .

I appreciate the difficulties and the pressure the agents and their handlers must have been under. However, these informants are no longer imbedded. These informants surely know the identities of the key plotters, but they have not been involved. Why?

I think also the families have a right to know the full truth. The present situation is a travesty of justice.

possibly the thinking was they did'nt want to rock the peace process

I believe that point, in some form, was made by John Snow last last (C4 News) to Michael gallagher.
Gallagher's reply was along the lines that it is poor basis for harmony that men are not brought to justice for these murders. I agree with him.
I don't think that is acceptable, although I agree with you that that may be one of the reasons.

However, I think arse covering by the authorities is probably the main obstacle.

To follow up on McGuinness saying he would support a full investigation. The article was in the Independent recently.

Republican chief turns a deaf ear to Omagh plea
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/republican-chief-turns-a-deaf-ear-to-omagh-plea-1457486.html

So to summarise:

1. Nobody has been convicted. Former undercover agents that where involved in the IRA at the highest levels have all the details of who was guilty. Yet they have not been invited to give their evidence.

2. The statements (deemed credible by Nuala O'Loan) by former agents show that specific warnings of the attack where ignored.

Allowing the evidence of these former agents would show that the attack was allowed to go ahead by intelligence services. The result is that the truth and justice have been completely buried.

The farcical aftermath of Sean Hoey's trial in December 2007 was big news. However, watching the news coverage, it focused entirely on details of the trial such as, the evidence presented against Sean Hoey being faulty.

Michael Gallagher was almost completely ignored. Yes his speech was linked on the BBC website, but it wasn't shown or discussed on the BBC news programs. They blamed the police 'mis-handling' of forensic evidence for the fact that there have been no covictions. Yet they somehow failed to grasp (despite Michael Gallagher telling the cameras after the trial) that the key witnesses have never been asked for their evidence. Indeed, Gallagher claims they have been persecuted and 'paid a heavy price', just for attempting to give this evidence.

if there are high level agents/informers the political price might be to high to expose them.

"Martin the police did not plant the bomb your former associates did now is the time to examine your conscience and to help us secure a criminal conviction."

Though the inquiry will be full of minutes and note from the security forces I doubt the real ira keep notes or minutes.
So the evil security forces failed to stop a few misguided republicans from letting off a bomb

likesfish said:

So the evil security forces failed to stop a few misguided republicans from letting off a bomb

Click to expand...

It certainly looks like there is some responsibility. The same informants hold the key evidence that would convict the perpetrators. They must certainly know the details and identities of the relevant people. They are no longer embeded as agents. I think the reason why this evidence hasn't been used is because the Garda and RUC intelligence services would also be shown to have acted negligently.

I find it strange that in the aftermath of Sean Hoey's trial, the news coverage (channel 4 apart) focused only on the police's forensic evidence gathering as the reason that no convictions have been secured. If the media had also asked (as channel 4 did) the obvious question, perhaps the greater pressure for a full investigation including the evidence of the key witnesses would have been there.