An RUC officer leading the investigation into the Omagh bombing appeared on the verge of tears when he appealed yesterday for public assistance in Northern Ireland and the Republic in finding those responsible for the bomb.
Det Chief Supt Eric Anderson said at a Belfast press conference he was determined to apprehend the "Real IRA" gang responsible for the explosion on August 15th. Investigating detectives had important forensic evidence, but were still missing vital clues.
While he did not propose to discuss the evidence, he said, "I can say that like all good jigsaws there are missing pieces. And that is exactly what we are looking for - to fill in the missing pieces - which might just be the key to opening the box for the future."
Mr Anderson, who led the team which arrested the loyalist gang responsible for the Greysteel murders, said 11 people in the North and 31 in the South had been questioned about the bombing, , but no one had been charged.
"Because we arrest people and we don't charge, it does not mean we have eliminated them from the inquiry. This inquiry is going to take a long time. There probably will be more arrests and I think it's important to stress one of the reasons we're talking to you [the media] today is to encourage the public to come forward and help us. If they do that, I can assure you there will be more arrests."
His voice choking with emotion, Mr Anderson said "This has been . . . probably a great experience for the police in the terms that, with 29 people dead, 250 people injured, I think it is fair to say . . .it has been a devastating experience for all involved."
Mr Anderson then took some time to compose himself before adding: "We do try not to show emotion in these things but I'm afraid, such was the scene of devastation, that it was so harrowing, it is difficult to get away from that."
He urged anyone who might be shielding the bombers to examine their consciences. "To those who are listening to me today, don't give an off-the-cuff reaction to this appeal. I don't want you to do that.
"I want you to listen to what I'm asking, but more importantly, I want you to go away and in the quietness of your room, perhaps tonight before you even say your prayers, that you reflect on the appeal and that you look away from the police, and probably the police investigation, and look at the human side of this."
