Omagh relatives demand public inquiry after revelations

Some relatives who lost loved ones in the Omagh bomb demanded a full public inquiry into the bombing last night

Some relatives who lost loved ones in the Omagh bomb demanded a full public inquiry into the bombing last night. Mr Stanley McCombe, whose wife Ann was killed in the blast, said the draft report of the Police Ombudsman, Ms Nuala O'Loan, was deeply disturbing.

"I have no grievance against the RUC, but I want the truth and I don't care who it hurts. This report has made me a very angry person and so mad. I feel such disbelief that information may have been received and wasn't passed on to avoid the bombing. We have to get to the bottom of this."

Mr Des Doherty, solicitor for Mr Lawrence Rush whose wife Libby died, said: "This case has parallels with the 1974 Dublin-Monaghan bombings when the same accusations arose and certain allegations were made.

"Mr Rush genuinely feels the forces within the state - the security services and Special Branch - are protecting informers. There have been no prosecutions in this case, which is completely unacceptable if you have the evidence the police have."

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The families are due to meet Ms O'Loan on Wednesday when they will be given a copy of the report. Mr Michael Gallagher whose son Aidan died said the outcome could be devastating for the families.

"If these allegations turn out to be true then the families will feel such pain and grief that what could have been avoided was not. A lot of the Omagh families are feeling angry today. We will be made victims a second time round if it is shown to be true that a shoddy investigation was carried out."

Mr Gallagher said he would demand a public inquiry if the allegations were contained in the final draft of the report. However, he did not want attention diverted from the fact that the "Real IRA" was responsible for the deaths of the 29 victims.

Mr Victor Barker whose son James died said he would not be surprised by any further disclosures. "The whole thing is a shambles and I just wish someone would tell us the truth. I don't think we will ever get the real facts."