2000
MARCH 24The RUC launches internal review of Omagh bomb investigation 17 months after the Real IRA attack killed 29 people and injured hundreds more. Despite a massive cross-border investigation only one man, Colm Murphy, had been charged in connection with the atrocity, and the charge was conspiracy to cause an explosion not murder. During the original investigation nearly 80 suspects had been questioned, more than 2,000 people interviewed and more than 3,000 statements taken. It was widely reported police knew the identity of those responsible.
NOVEMBER 17The review is completed but its 250 recommendations and findings kept secret until leaked through the media over a year later.
2001
JULY 26Senior security sources say the review has uncovered evidence linking suspects to other attacks, but admit it is unlikely anyone will ever be charged with the 29 murders due to lack of hard evidence which would stand up in court.
JULY 29Double agent using pseudonym Kevin Fulton claims in a Sunday newspaper that three days before the Omagh bombing he had informed his Special Branch handlers of the fact Real IRA was preparing a bomb, the maker's name and location. He did not name Omagh as the target. Special Branch are alleged to have failed to pass on information to protect the bomb maker, an informer.
JULY 30Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan dismisses the allegations as "an outrageous untruth". He says they are without foundation, adding to the anguish of the victims' families and insists Special Branch would "not ever ignore intelligence about a bombing in order to protect any special branch interests".
JULY 31Sunday People contact Police Ombudsman over Fulton allegations.
AUGUST 11Omagh bomb relatives launch civil action against those they suspect of carrying out the bombing.
AUGUST 17Police Ombudsman launches investigation into Fulton claims and police handling of Omagh investigation.
NOVEMBER 28Sir Ronnie Flanagan receives draft copy of Ombudsman's report and is asked to respond by December 7, five days before publication. He did not respond until today.
DECEMBER 6The draft report is leaked. It claims serious flaws with the police investigation and reveals that 11 days before the bombing an anonymous caller gave police details of a planned gun and rocket attack in Omagh on August 15 1998, the day of the bombing, but said Special Branch decided no action would be taken.
DECEMBER 7Sir Ronnie Flanagan rejects the warning of an attack on Omagh should have prompted security precautions in the town to deter bombers. He says: "Even if action had been taken, it would not have been action that in any way could remotely have led to interception of a bomb that was en route to Omagh."
He again rejected an assertion that Special Branch failed to act on Fulton's information to protect another informer.
DECEMBER 12Police Ombudsman meets Omagh relatives and many of the injured to deliver and discuss her report which she publishes later in the day. In the report she condemns the Chief Constable and other senior officers for "defective leadership, poor judgement and lack of urgency" with the inquiry.
Sir Ronnie rejects the criticism and said he would respond fully.
2002
JANUARY 22Colm Murphy is found guilty in Dublin of conspiracy to cause an explosion, He is the only man to have been charged in connection with the Omagh bombing.
JANUARY 23Members of the Policing Board and Ombudsman's office receive Chief Constable's response.
JANUARY 24Sir Ronnie visits Omagh relatives to discuss his response and makes it public. PA