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Westminster and the Omagh bomb
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| Culzie | Date: Saturday, 2013-08-17, 4:41 PM | Message # 1 |
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Generalissimo
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| Seems the ira had the Westminster masters over a barrel. If you arrest any of ours we''ll go back to the bomb and bullet. And of course they agreed, and never mind the dead and their relatives. But then there were no Protestants killed in Londonderry on 'Bloody Sunday' so an inquiry was held...or was it two or three inquiries. But whatever, its clear that Omagh doesn't count unless the ira says so.
BY LIAM CLARKE – 16 August 2013
The last detective to investigate the Omagh bomb atrocity has claimed vital evidence may have been held back from the original police investigation for fear of endangering the IRA ceasefire.
On the 15th anniversary of the Real IRA massacre, former chief superintendent Norman Baxter alleged that Downing Street was warned by republican contacts that to bring the Army into south Armagh to make arrests in the immediate aftermath of the bomb could destabilise the ceasefire.
"The warning was given in the strongest terms," he told the Belfast Telegraph.
To back his claims, Mr Baxter pointed to a 2008 BBC Panorama programme which revealed that GCHQ, the UK's electronic surveillance agency, had been tapping phones used in the attack.
Raymond White, a former senior RUC officer, confirmed that Special Branch had passed on an Irish Eircell mobile phone number to be tapped.
It had earlier been used in an attack in Newry and a failed attack in Banbridge. This phone was one of a number later used by the Omagh bombers and monitored by GCHQ, with MI5 oversight.
But back in Belfast and Dublin, RUC and Garda detectives spent months trawling through 6.4 million calls to try to identify likely numbers – the ones already identified by GCHQ – used by the bombers on the day of the attack.
Mr Baxter believes the reason for not handing over the information may have been a message British officials received from pro-peace process republicans the morning after the bombing.
"On the Sunday (August 16, 1998) Sinn Fein people contacted representatives from Downing Street who were involved in the peace process.
"They advised them that if the green army, the British military, went into south Armagh to make arrests, the ceasefire would break. That was very strongly put," said Mr Baxter.
[u][color=#0000ff]http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news....u]
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Culzie | Date: Saturday, 2013-08-17, 4:52 PM | Message # 2 |
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Governments have let us down, say Omagh families as they admit defeat
BY CHRIS KILPATRICK – 16 August 2013
Families of 29 people murdered in [b][u][color=#0000ff]Northern Ireland's worst terrorist atrocity have finally admitted defeat in their fight to have their killers brought to justice.
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Today marks the 15th anniversary of the Omagh bomb which ripped through the centre of the Co Tyrone town when it was packed with shoppers on a Saturday afternoon.
The 1998 Real IRA atrocity killed 29 men, women and children, as well as unborn twins, in what was the most devastating act of terrorism of the Troubles.
The families of the victims have said they will instigate court action "within days" in an attempt to force the setting up of a cross-border public inquiry into the failed investigation of the bombing.
Nobody has been convicted for the attack. However, a civil action in 2009 resulted in four men being found liable for the atrocity.
Michael Gallagher, who chairs a support group for the bereaved families of Omagh victims, told the Belfast Telegraph he was resigned to the fact nobody will face criminal convictions for the atrocity.
And Mr Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aiden was among those killed, said the blame for that lay with both the British and Irish authorities.
"It's been very difficult for the families over the past 15 years but we've come to the realisation that nobody is going to be convicted for the Omagh bomb," he said.
"The sad reality is that it is not because there isn't any evidence, it's because people in high places have decided that that's not going to be the case.
"We feel there is more evidence around the Omagh bomb than there is around any crime that has been committed in this country in 40 years, that's why we find it so difficult to deal with.
"We feel we gave the RUC, PSNI and Garda a good innings on this, they've had 15 years. We've also given the politicians their chance but unfortunately they didn't seem capable of moving this forward."
Earlier this month the families released excerpts of a report that raised concerns about the police and security services' failure to share intelligence which relatives believe could have prevented the attack.
Findings of that report were sent to both the British and Irish governments last year.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news....b]
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Culzie | Date: Saturday, 2013-08-17, 4:58 PM | Message # 3 |
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| Pressure on Villiers over Omagh revelations
BY CHRIS KILPATRICK – 17 August 2013
The Secretary of State is under increasing pressure to respond to claims that British Intelligence chiefs hampered police investigations into the Omagh bombing to protect the IRA ceasefire.
The last detective to investigate the largest single atrocity of the Troubles said vital evidence may have been held back from police for fear of endangering the ceasefire.
Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter alleged Downing Street was warned by republican contacts that to bring the Army into south Armagh to make arrests in the days after the bomb would destabilise the peace process.
Twenty-nine people and unborn twins were killed and hundreds injured when a bomb ripped through the centre of the Tyrone town on August 15, 1998.
Following Mr Baxter's claims, Theresa Villiers has been urged to detail what influence, if any, British intelligence officers exerted on the RUC officers investigating the atrocity.
"If information regarding the Omagh bombing was held back, or if the investigation was inhibited in any way for fear of destabilising the Northern Ireland political process, then that is an absolute scandal," said Ulster Unionist Party MLA Tom Elliott.
"We need the Secretary of State and the Chief Constable to confirm or deny the suggestion that evidence may have been held back."
SDLP MLA Joe Byrne said the allegations were "distressing for the families of all those affected", but added they strengthened the victims' relatives' campaign for a cross-body public inquiry into the authorities' handling of the case.
He said: "The victims of the Omagh atrocity need and deserve the truth about what happened and information about the gathering and sharing of intelligence material is vital.
"These new revelations make the case made by the Omagh families for an inquiry even more compelling. This inquiry should form part of dealing with the issue of the past which has been souring the political process.
"It is important not only for the families but to ensure that a similar tragedy can never happen again."
Mr Baxter claimed British Intelligence was contacted the day after the bombing by Sinn Fein members.
He said: "They advised them that if the green army, the British military, went into south Armagh to make arrests, the ceasefire would break. That was very strongly put."
[u][color=#0000ff]http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news....u]
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| jackrayan | Date: Monday, 2024-07-15, 9:23 AM | Message # 4 |
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| The complexities of managing ceasefires and investigations amid conflict are evident in the Omagh bombing aftermath, reflecting difficult political and security dilemmas. Best Blonde Hair Specialist near Almaden CA
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| sophya | Date: Tuesday, 2024-10-29, 3:43 AM | Message # 5 |
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| Ethancarter | Date: Wednesday, 2024-11-13, 2:22 AM | Message # 6 |
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| The depth of your analysis encourages readers to reflect on Snow Road own beliefs and perceptions.
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| jamesmona | Date: Monday, 2024-11-25, 12:07 PM | Message # 7 |
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| The complex nature of the Omagh bombing investigation highlights the intricate balance between peace efforts and law enforcement actions. While vital evidence may have been withheld to protect the ceasefire, it’s clear that political considerations played a significant role in shaping the response. On a different note, for those looking to enhance their media experience during such intense discussions, IPTV services offer a wide range of viewing options, keeping you updated on world events and providing seamless access to news and entertainment.
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