Gardaí 'making progress' in Omagh probe
Gardaí investigating the Omagh bombing are making positive progress towards capturing those responsible for the atrocity, it was claimed today.
Victims’ relatives are hopeful further convictions will be made.
Victor Barker, whose 12-year-old son James was killed in the blast, said he had received some “very positive information” after a meeting with Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy.
He said they had a “full and frank” discussion and he was told some very positive news about the way the inquiry was going.
“There is going to be progress made. We are hoping to see investigations proceed to another conviction in relation to the bombing,” he said.
Only one man has so far been convicted in direct relation to the bombing.
Colm Murphy was jailed for 14 years in January 2002 after being convicted of plotting the attack.
Mr Barker said now that co-operation issues had been resolved between victims’ families and the authorities, he felt more positive about the way things were going.
“It’s been a long, drawn out process but we do seem to be making some progress,” he said.
The Omagh Victims’ Group met Taoiseach Bertie Ahern yesterday for the first time.
They called on the British and Irish Governments to work together and discussed the options now facing detectives, which include a Hutton-style inquiry.
Mr Barker is due to meet Northern Ireland security minister Jane Kennedy in London next week for further discussions.
