Govt accused of treating Omagh relatives badly

The Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny has accused the Government of treating the relatives of those killed in the Omagh bombing …

The Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny has accused the Government of treating the relatives of those killed in the Omagh bombing very badly.

Speaking ahead of a meeting in Belfast with family members of those killed in the 1998 attack, Mr Kenny said he wished to promote their case in the Republic. It will be his first meeting with the relatives.

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I feel that [the Omagh relatives] have been badly treated by the Irish government
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Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny

"My party has raised in the Dáil several issues relating to Omagh including recently the revelations that the Taoiseach had concealed the true level of contact between his government and the Real IRA," he said last night.

"I am aware of the concerns that the families have about the probe into allegations that the Garda had information before the bomb attack.

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"I have to say that I feel that they have been badly treated by the Irish government and I'm anxious to hear what they think we could do in Fine Gael to help."

Mr Kenny is also due to meet representatives of Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the UUP and the PUP to ask them about how the Belfast Agreement could be carried forward.

He said Fine Gael remained committed to the Agreement and hoped that the Assembly election campaign would be carried out "in a most conducive atmosphere" in the run up to polling day on November 26th.

"I very much believe the Agreement still is the way forward," said.

Mr Kenny added that he would be meeting Police Ombudsman Ms Nuala O'Loan and members of Northern Ireland's Policing Board, and will also encourage Sinn Féin to join the Policing Board during his meeting with the party.