https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgedz42pepo
A former Irish government minister is concerned vital evidence may not be seen by the public inquiry into the 1998 Omagh bomb.
Charlie Flanagan believes Ireland should have established its own parallel inquiry.
Twenty-nine people, including a woman expecting twins, were killed in the Real IRA attack, which was carried out from the Irish Republic.
Dublin has promised to help the UK inquiry into whether the bombing could have been prevented. It has pledged that, if required, it will pass legislation to address co-operation.
But that has yet to occur and relatives of some of those murdered remain concerned.
The public inquiry, which opened on Tuesday, seeks to determine whether the bombing could have been prevented by UK state authorities.
The inquiry cannot compel anyone from outside the UK to give evidence, such as current or former members of An Garda Siochána (Irish police).
The intelligence picture – north and south – is a key area for the inquiry.
'Lost opportunity'
Mr Flanagan, formerly Ireland's minister for justice and minster for foreign affairs, told Irish broadcaster RTÉ, external that a parallel inquiry would have been "imminently desirable".
He added: "I accept fully what (Taoiseach) Micháel Martin and (Tánaiste) Simon Harris have consistently said about the Irish government co-operating fully with the inquiry.
"But I think an opportunity has been lost by not having a parallel process."
Mr Flanagan said an Irish inquiry could have worked "a tandem" with the one in the UK.
"My fear now is that there will be gaps.
"While the Irish government says it will not be found wanting, my concern is we will not be able to square that circle on compellability and that vital evidence may not be forthcoming," Mr Flanagan said.
by HeWasDeadAllAlong
10 comments
Reading between the lines here, it would seem that Charlie is implying that the British state won’t be holding itself to any standards of accountability. Hard to argue given the precedent.
Flanagan, a notorious lover of the RIC and Israel.
The reason there aren’t ’parallel’ enquiries is that the British establishment has history of lying to and delaying such investigations. Those with the knowledge would simply wait until the release of the Irish one and then taper the ‘truth’ provided so that Britain escapes real blame. Maxwellisation especially hobbles genuine criticism from British enquiries.
The Rep of Ireland facilitated republicans all through the troubles. Mostly indirectly via their non action rather than direct support. I acknowledge that.
There is clear evidence that some of the activity that facilitated this atrocity happened in two jurisdictions. Purposefully so. It makes sense that both have inquiries or indeed a joint intergovernmental body is set up for things like this.
Wow another troubles related incident that the Irish government, who facilitated Republican terrorism, is conveniently turning the other way from. Shocked.
No one wants the truth 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
The Omagh bombing investigation was the largest police investigation of the Troubles, with multiple trials and legal proceedings (both criminal and civil) in both jurisdictions. Most of the leading suspects spent years in prison after being convicted of various charges, and at least three of the leading targets of any new inquiry are now deceased.
How about an inquiry into which Dublin government ministers were working for BritIntel, that’s far more pertinent and consequential.
https://coverthistory.ie/2022/12/22/his-and-her-majestys-spies-in-the-dublin-government/
Uk government knows who did it. And could have done alot more
Those that carried out this senseless slaughtering of innocents were Sinn Fein Terrorists, not dissidents, micro groups, RIRA, CIRA or other, they were the exact same Sinn Fein Terrorists that had Murdered & Maimed for decades, & who were praised as gallant Irish Freedom Fighters by Gerry & Co….., that was of course was up until they witnessed Gerry’s betrayal & acted on it….., & then to hide the fact they were Sinn Fein Terrorists & to keep the so-called Peace Process going, everything was done to deflect from that fact.
Everything, every file, witness ( Sinn Fein Comrades included ) & Country with knowledge around this atrocity, should give/tell everything they have, because only transparency will bring these families what they deserve.
If the Irish Govt held a parallel inquiry that came anywhere close to pointing the finger at the involvement of British agents or British agencies then the UVF or UDA would suddenly develop equipment and skills they’ve barely had since 1974.
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