Relatives of those killed in the Omagh bombing have warned that they will demand a full public inquiry if the North's Policing Board does not resolve the ongoing controversy over the investigation. They have also said that they will take their case to the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, and to the Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, if they do not receive satisfaction. The families were speaking after a private three-hour meeting in Omagh yesterday with seven members of the Policing Board.
Last week, the families discussed their concerns about the police investigation with the Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan. They expressed dissatisfaction with his response.
Mr Kevin Skelton, whose wife, Philomena, was among those killed, said that it was now up to the board to resolve the dispute. "We have put our questions to the Policing Board. If those questions are not answered to our satisfaction, there will have to be a public inquiry."
Mr Skelton said that a withdrawal of support for the police investigation was still an option, but the families would wait until next month, when the board meets the Chief Constable and the Police Ombudsman, Mrs Nuala O'Loan, before making a final decision.
Mr Michael Gallagher, whose son, Aidan, died in the bombing, said that the relatives did not want to become embroiled in an argument about policing in the North. "We are here simply to get the Omagh bomb investigation moving forward. We don't want to be drawn into the bigger political game."
Speaking after yesterday's meeting, the chairman of the Policing Board, Prof Desmond Rea, said: "We came here today to listen to the people who have been most horrendously affected by the Omagh bomb. These are the people whose feelings have been most deeply touched by the publication of the Ombudsman's report and last week's response by the Chief Constable. We wanted to find out about the issues relating to policing which cause them the greatest concern. We are committed to our responsibility to ensure that policing is effective, efficient, transparent and accountable. Mindful of the sensitivities of all parties, we will give full and proper consideration to all the relevant information."
Prof Rea praised the relatives for their "openness and honesty" during the meeting. "We listened intently to the heartfelt views expressed and will in turn be reflecting these views back to the board when it meets to consider this matter in full."
Among the board members who met the families were a DUP Assembly member, Mr Sammy Wilson, and a local SDLP Assembly member, Mr Joe Byrne. Mr Wilson said that questions had to be put to Sir Ronnie and Mrs O'Loan. "I will be critical of both if I have to be," he added.
Mr Byrne said that he wanted the six recommendations in Mrs O'Loan's report to be implemented. He did not believe that the board would split along political lines, with nationalists automatically supporting Mrs O'Loan and unionists backing Sir Ronnie.