SAOIRSE32

BBC

The father of a boy killed in the Omagh bombing has said Sir Ronnie Flanagan’s apology does not go far enough.

Sir Ronnie Flanagan said he was sorry there had been no convictions

The former RUC chief constable said he was desperately sorry that no-one had been convicted for the Real IRA attack which killed 29 people in 1998.

But Victor Barker said Sir Ronnie should now resign as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary.

Michael Gallagher, whose son also died, welcomed the apology but said there also needed to be a public inquiry.

Sir Ronnie made the apology after meeting Mr Barker on Wednesday evening.

On Thursday, Mr Barker, whose 12-year-old son James was murdered, said: “I said to Ronnie in view of the fact that he was ultimately responsible for this investigation he should resign.

“It was only when he was in front of the cameras afterwards that he said he apologised for the fact that no-one has been brought to justice.

“He didn’t apologise for the fact that his investigation was deeply flawed.”

Mr Flanagan told Channel 4 News: “I publicly apologise to all those families and all those victims; to all those who were injured, without reservation.”

Last month Sean Hoey - the only man charged with murdering the 29 people - was cleared.

The families expressed criticism of Mr Flanagan, who is now Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary.

“Of course as chief constable, I have to take responsibility for the shortcomings that the judge highlighted and I take responsibility for those shortcomings,” he told Channel Four.

Mr Gallagher, whose son Aidan was killed, said: “For me the bigger concern is that we don’t look at one individual.

“This is a nine and a half year investigation. There have been tremendous failings right through that period, and they are not just confined to Northern Ireland, because that is only part of the story.

“That’s why we feel that some overarching inquiry, a public inquiry, that will look at both sides of the border, and find out why this crime was not solved.”

BBC

An executive meeting to discuss the legal case around the UDA linked Conflict Transformation Initiative has taken place.

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie faces a high court challenge to her decision to cut government funding to the scheme.

Stormont sources said the executive examined whether or not it could give retrospective approval to her actions.

It is understood no decision was taken at the meeting.

Ministers will revisit the matter again.

The issue caused serious tensions in the executive last year.

Ms Ritchie infuriated Finance Minister Peter Robinson when she announced she intended to cut the funding.

Mr Robinson accused her of acting without executive authority and breaching the ministerial code.

However, Ms Ritchie maintained she was within her rights to take the decision, which she announced when the UDA failed to begin decommissinog weapons after a 60-day deadline set for last October.

BBC

Detectives are following about 1,200 lines of inquiry into the murder of County Armagh man Paul Quinn, a senior garda officer has said.

Mr Quinn, 21, from Cullyhanna, died after being attacked and beaten at a shed near Castleblaney in October.

IRA members have been blamed but Sinn Fein denies any republican involvement.

Superintendent Karl Heller said they were resolved to bring the perpetrators to justice but needed their family and friends to examine their consciences.

He said there had been close liaison with colleagues in the Police Service of Northern Ireland, with many inquiries taking place north of the border.

More than 400 witness statements have been taken, he said.

“We have carried out many inquiries and indeed we are following in excess of 1,200 particular lines of inquiry,” he said.

“Well resourced”

“The people who were involved in this crime will have loved ones, whether they be sons, brothers, they have family members. They may have noticed some change in their loved ones behaviour.

“They do possess vital information and it’s information which will help us solve a crime which was not only a crime against a young man, it’s a crime against the community.”

Mr Heller said it was a “well resourced, professional and very thorough investigation”.

By Matthew McCreary
Belfast Telegraph
23 January 2008

A hard-hitting photo exhibition featuring images from the Troubles, many taken by Belfast Telegraph photographers, has been put on show in the province.

Out of the Darkness was launched at Stormont this week by Arts Minister Edwin Poots to celebrate the past 40 years of press photography in Northern Ireland.

Among the pictures featured are some of the most enduring and graphic images of life in the province over the past four decades.

When it first opened in March 2007 at the Ormeau Baths Gallery, the exhibition by the Northern Ireland Press Photographers Association attracted thousands of visitors and widespread acclaim.

Speaking at the launch Mr Poots said: “The photography provides a reminder of life in Northern Ireland during the last 40 years, both the highs and lows. It allows us to remember what we have come through and encourages us to continue to strive for a better life for future generations.

“The exhibition does not just concentrate on our troubled past. It pays tribute to the steady stream of sporting heroes which Northern Ireland has produced. These people have put Northern Ireland on the map for all the right reasons and I hope our new up and coming talent can continue to do so in the future.”

The exhibition at the Long Gallery, in Parliament Buildings is scheduled to run until February 15.