Allegation of Garda interference over Omagh `horrifying'

The Minister for Justice repeated the Government's denial that it had interfered with the Garda investigation into the Omagh bombing.

Describing the allegation as "horrifying", Mr O'Donoghue asked the House to imagine the effect it could have on those who had lost loved ones in Omagh and who yearned for those responsible to be brought to justice.

"One might have thought that the very incredibility of the allegation would mean that the bereaved might not take it seriously and might thereby escape the cruel suspicion that refuge was being given to those who committed the atrocity.

"But might the bereaved not now think twice, given that the main Opposition party apparently judged the allegation sufficiently credible to justify the response they have sought from the Government.

"I will say nothing more about this despicable allegation except this: if the Opposition is not prepared to hold back from even the most outrageous slur on the Government, and in reality the Garda, who would have to be party to what was alleged, will they at least have regard to the effect their indiscriminate broadsides might have on those outside this House?"

The Minister was speaking during the resumed debate on a Fine Gael Private Member's motion which called on the Government to outline what action had been taken on foot of the enactment of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, 1998. The Government accepted the motion.

Mr Brian Hayes (Fine Gael, Dublin South West) said the Minister's speech was "outrageous" in the context of the motion.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, said the Government had introduced new legislation to give the Garda the extra powers it needed.

"And, working in the closest possible co-operation with their RUC counterparts, gardai have been professional, painstaking and thorough in their work - we would have expected no less. But they have gone well beyond that. They have carried out their work with a conviction and with a determination to bring it to a successful conclusion."

He added that the Government would never, ever allow political considerations of any type to interfere with the course of justice.

Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain (Sinn Fein, Cavan Monaghan) said the record should show, once again, that his party had called repeatedly on the group responsible for the Omagh bombing to disband. "Our pursuit of a peaceful strategy has won the support of the vast majority of republican opinion."