Menu
03/04/2003
Policing Board accept report on Omagh inquiry
The Policing Board has received the final report from the senior police officer appointed to oversee the police inquiry into the Omagh bombing investigation.
Merseyside Deputy Chief Constable Mike Tonge was appointed in May 2002 to provide the Policing Board with a report that included an assessment of the current state of the ongoing investigation.
Policing Board Chairman, Professor Desmond Rea said that DCC Tonge’s role, on behalf of the Board, was to oversee and progress specific recommendations arising from the Board’s statement on the Omagh Reports.
He said that the Board was “satisfied that significant progress has been made in moving forward the investigation” and that the “wider community should be assured that issues of concern previously identified have now been fully addressed”.
However, he said that a number of issues raised in the Report would require further action and the Board would continue to monitor this investigation through discussion with chief constable Hugh Orde.
Professor Rea, said: “This was a difficult and challenging task but the Board believed that unique circumstances demanded a unique solution.
“From the outset, the Board wanted to satisfy itself, and the wider community, that all the opportunities for prosecutions arising out of the Omagh investigation were maximized and that all lessons arising from the Omagh Reports have been learnt.”
The terms of reference for the report included:
Detective Chief Superintendent Phil Jones, the External Senior Investigating officer appointed by the PSNI, also reported to the Policing Board.
Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid, the Senior PSNI officer in charge of the investigation, along with the PSNI Senior Investigating Officer, Norman Baxter, updated Board members on the next phase of the investigation. ACC Kinkaid is to update the Board on a quarterly basis.
Merseyside DCC Mike Tonge was drafted in following a major rift between Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan and the then PSNI Chief Constable Ronnie Flannagan, following the Ombudsman’s report on the conduct of the inquiry into the 1998 bombing of Omagh by the Real IRA.
The bombing, in which 29 people were killed, is one of the worst atrocities carried out by republican paramilitaries.
Professor Rea added: “Clearly this is a live investigation and it is the Board’s sincere hope that those who perpetrated this dreadful atrocity are brought to justice for their actions.”
(SP)
Merseyside Deputy Chief Constable Mike Tonge was appointed in May 2002 to provide the Policing Board with a report that included an assessment of the current state of the ongoing investigation.
Policing Board Chairman, Professor Desmond Rea said that DCC Tonge’s role, on behalf of the Board, was to oversee and progress specific recommendations arising from the Board’s statement on the Omagh Reports.
He said that the Board was “satisfied that significant progress has been made in moving forward the investigation” and that the “wider community should be assured that issues of concern previously identified have now been fully addressed”.
However, he said that a number of issues raised in the Report would require further action and the Board would continue to monitor this investigation through discussion with chief constable Hugh Orde.
Professor Rea, said: “This was a difficult and challenging task but the Board believed that unique circumstances demanded a unique solution.
“From the outset, the Board wanted to satisfy itself, and the wider community, that all the opportunities for prosecutions arising out of the Omagh investigation were maximized and that all lessons arising from the Omagh Reports have been learnt.”
The terms of reference for the report included:
- Examining the resource and skills levels needed to satisfactorily conclude the investigation.
- Undertaking a quality assurance role and monitoring progress in the investigation including implementation of the Omagh Bomb Review Report.
- Enhancing working practices with An Garda Siochana in relation to the Omagh Bomb investigation and linked inquiries.
Detective Chief Superintendent Phil Jones, the External Senior Investigating officer appointed by the PSNI, also reported to the Policing Board.
Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid, the Senior PSNI officer in charge of the investigation, along with the PSNI Senior Investigating Officer, Norman Baxter, updated Board members on the next phase of the investigation. ACC Kinkaid is to update the Board on a quarterly basis.
Merseyside DCC Mike Tonge was drafted in following a major rift between Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan and the then PSNI Chief Constable Ronnie Flannagan, following the Ombudsman’s report on the conduct of the inquiry into the 1998 bombing of Omagh by the Real IRA.
The bombing, in which 29 people were killed, is one of the worst atrocities carried out by republican paramilitaries.
Professor Rea added: “Clearly this is a live investigation and it is the Board’s sincere hope that those who perpetrated this dreadful atrocity are brought to justice for their actions.”
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 February 2002
Policing Board locked in talks over Omagh investigation
The Northern Ireland Policing Board remained locked in talks for much of Thursday as they discussed the future direction the Omagh bomb investigation should take. The Board, which is made up of individuals from both sides of the political divide met on Thursday, February 7, in an attempt to hammer out a compromise at Clarendon Dock.
Policing Board locked in talks over Omagh investigation
The Northern Ireland Policing Board remained locked in talks for much of Thursday as they discussed the future direction the Omagh bomb investigation should take. The Board, which is made up of individuals from both sides of the political divide met on Thursday, February 7, in an attempt to hammer out a compromise at Clarendon Dock.
22 February 2012
New Board Members Appointed To NI Screen
The appointment of eight new Board Members to NI Screen has been announced. Following open competition, Michael Catto, Adeline Dinsmore, Jennifer Johnston, Michael Kuhn, Fiona MacMillan, Aódán Mac Póilin, Laurence McKeown and Ian Parsley have been appointed as Board Members.
New Board Members Appointed To NI Screen
The appointment of eight new Board Members to NI Screen has been announced. Following open competition, Michael Catto, Adeline Dinsmore, Jennifer Johnston, Michael Kuhn, Fiona MacMillan, Aódán Mac Póilin, Laurence McKeown and Ian Parsley have been appointed as Board Members.
10 January 2002
Policing Board remain committed to Omagh and Ombudsman’s report
The Northern Ireland Policing Board has held its first meeting of the New Year in Belfast. As expected the meeting on Wednesday January 9 focused primarily on the Police Ombudsman’s highly critical report of the Royal Ulster Constabulary’s procedural investigation into the 1998 Real IRA bomb which killed 29 people.
Policing Board remain committed to Omagh and Ombudsman’s report
The Northern Ireland Policing Board has held its first meeting of the New Year in Belfast. As expected the meeting on Wednesday January 9 focused primarily on the Police Ombudsman’s highly critical report of the Royal Ulster Constabulary’s procedural investigation into the 1998 Real IRA bomb which killed 29 people.
09 August 2006
Policing Board respond to Ombudsman report
Following the release of yesterday's Police Ombudsman report into the attempted murder of Gerald McRandall in Larne in 2002, Ombudsman report the Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Professor Sir Desmond Rea today responded to Mrs O'Loan's findings. He said: “A copy of this report will be circulated to all Board Members.
Policing Board respond to Ombudsman report
Following the release of yesterday's Police Ombudsman report into the attempted murder of Gerald McRandall in Larne in 2002, Ombudsman report the Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Professor Sir Desmond Rea today responded to Mrs O'Loan's findings. He said: “A copy of this report will be circulated to all Board Members.
08 February 2008
Omagh Bomb Investigation Review To Get Underway
A panel of independent experts appointed by the NI Policing Board will carry out a review of the police investigation into the Omagh bomb. News of the decision comes despite opposition from relatives of some of the 29 people who died in the atrocity. It's believed that they wish to see a cross-border public enquiry established.
Omagh Bomb Investigation Review To Get Underway
A panel of independent experts appointed by the NI Policing Board will carry out a review of the police investigation into the Omagh bomb. News of the decision comes despite opposition from relatives of some of the 29 people who died in the atrocity. It's believed that they wish to see a cross-border public enquiry established.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
