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12/01/2009
Omagh, Bank Heist And McCartney Murder Investigations 'Inactive'
Ulster's top crime investigator has admitted mistakes were made in the wake of the Omagh bombing, the Northern Bank robbery and the brutal murder of Belfast man Robert McCartney, (pictured). The Serious Crime Branch boss also revealed the three notorious crimes are no longer being actively investigated.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Detective Chief Superintendent Derek Williamson suggested it was unlikely anyone would ever be brought to justice over the cases.
However, he said the investigations could be reopened if new evidence was to emerge.
"It will always be regrettable that we haven't made people amenable ... Have we made mistakes? Yes of course ... We try to do the best we can. Is it a prospect that we could go back over those cases?
"If new evidence comes to light then yes, we would investigate them. Never say never," Mr Williamson told the paper.
Twenty-nine people, including a mother pregnant with unborn twins, were murdered when a Real IRA bomb detonated in Omagh town centre more than 10 years ago.
The only man to be charged with the terrorist attack was acquitted following a multi-million pound court case.
Last year the Northern Bank trial collapsed after a former bank worker was acquitted of involvement in the £20m heist.
Three men charged over the murder of Robert McCartney in a Belfast city centre bar were also acquitted.
The latter two cases diverted attention away from efforts to devolve local institutions, because of alleged IRA involvement in the crimes.
Meanwhile, tomorrow will see the Robert Hamill Inquiry commence its full public hearings.
The probe - at the Interpoint Centre in Belfast - is to examine how Robert Hamill died following an incident in Portadown on 27th April, 1997.
The Inquiry is into the role of the then Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) with regard to the circumstances surrounding Mr Hamill's death and the subsequent investigation.
(PR)(BMcC)
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Detective Chief Superintendent Derek Williamson suggested it was unlikely anyone would ever be brought to justice over the cases.
However, he said the investigations could be reopened if new evidence was to emerge.
"It will always be regrettable that we haven't made people amenable ... Have we made mistakes? Yes of course ... We try to do the best we can. Is it a prospect that we could go back over those cases?
"If new evidence comes to light then yes, we would investigate them. Never say never," Mr Williamson told the paper.
Twenty-nine people, including a mother pregnant with unborn twins, were murdered when a Real IRA bomb detonated in Omagh town centre more than 10 years ago.
The only man to be charged with the terrorist attack was acquitted following a multi-million pound court case.
Last year the Northern Bank trial collapsed after a former bank worker was acquitted of involvement in the £20m heist.
Three men charged over the murder of Robert McCartney in a Belfast city centre bar were also acquitted.
The latter two cases diverted attention away from efforts to devolve local institutions, because of alleged IRA involvement in the crimes.
Meanwhile, tomorrow will see the Robert Hamill Inquiry commence its full public hearings.
The probe - at the Interpoint Centre in Belfast - is to examine how Robert Hamill died following an incident in Portadown on 27th April, 1997.
The Inquiry is into the role of the then Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) with regard to the circumstances surrounding Mr Hamill's death and the subsequent investigation.
(PR)(BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
