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Police chiefs to meet over Omagh Criticism grows of Omagh policing
(about 1 hour later)
The body that holds Northern Ireland's police to account wants to meet Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde over the Omagh bomb trial judge's scathing comments. NI Secretary Shaun Woodward has failed to give public support to the former RUC chief constable after damning comments over the Omagh bomb inquiry.
Mr Justice Weir said officers working on the Omagh bomb case were guilty of a "deliberate and calculated deception". On Thursday, Sean Hoey was cleared of 58 charges, including the murders of 29 people in the Real IRA attack in 1998.
Sean Hoey was cleared of 58 charges, including some not directly linked to the murders of 29 people who died on 15 August 1998 in the Real IRA attack. The body that holds the police to account wants to meet the current Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde to discuss scathing comments by the trial judge.
Mr Woodward said the judge's comments needed serious investigation.
Sean Hoey, 38, of Molly Road, Jonesborough in south Armagh, was the only person to have been charged with the Omagh murders. It was one of the worst atrocities of Northern Ireland's Troubles.
As he was giving his verdict, Mr Justice Weir said officers working on the Omagh case were guilty of a "deliberate and calculated deception".
Sir Ronnie was head of the RUC at the time of the Omagh bombing.
Afterwards, Victor Barker, who lost his 12-year-old son, James, in the bombing, said Sir Ronnie could not be allowed to continue as head of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.
Sir Ronnie heads up the Inspectorate of Constabulary.
The body reports on and encourages efficiency and effectiveness of policing in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
But when asked by the BBC if Sir Ronnie still had the confidence of the government, the Northern Ireland Secretary would not be drawn.
"The lessons to be learned from this judgement are far and wide. It is important that we look at this very, very carefully," Mr Woodward told BBC Radio Ulster.
"It wouldn't do any kind of justice to the 29 people who were murdered in the bomb and the two unborn children for me to give you a phlegmatic response."
Policing Board Chairman Sir Desmond Rea said they wanted to discuss the case.Policing Board Chairman Sir Desmond Rea said they wanted to discuss the case.
"The Omagh bombing was a terrible atrocity and has had a devastating impact for all those families who lost loved ones and who were injured in the attack. Their suffering continues," said Sir Desmond. "Copies of the judgement and verdict were being sent to all board members," he said.
"Copies of the judgement and verdict were being sent to all board members. Having carefully studied the judgement, the board will discuss Mr Justice Weir's findings and the issues arising from the case with the chief constable (Sir Hugh Orde) at the earliest opportunity." He said having carefully studied the judgement, the board will discuss Mr Justice Weir's findings.
Mr Justice Weir said there was a calculated deception Copies of the judgement are being sent to all NI Policing Board
Human Rights Commissions on both sides of the border have called for the British and Irish governments to set up an independent judicial inquiry into the bombing.Human Rights Commissions on both sides of the border have called for the British and Irish governments to set up an independent judicial inquiry into the bombing.
The Chief Commissioner in Northern Ireland, Monica McWilliams, said it was an "unprecedented call".The Chief Commissioner in Northern Ireland, Monica McWilliams, said it was an "unprecedented call".
"Both commissions are mandated to meet as a consequence of the Good Friday Agreement on various issues that affect both the Republic and Northern Ireland. "Both commissions are mandated to meet as a consequence of the Good Friday Agreement on various issues that affect both the Republic and Northern Ireland," she said.
"This was the first time that we have ever made such a call."
Sean Hoey, of Molly Road in Jonesborough in south Armagh, is the only person to have been charged with what was one of the worst atrocities of Northern Ireland's Troubles.
Mr Hoey's solicitor said on Thursday: "Today's judgement - a reasoned, lengthy and well considered judgement - completely vindicated this position that he (Mr Hoey) maintained. Sean Hoey is an innocent man."
At the heart of the case were the bomb timers used in the attacks. Forensic scientists had examined them for both fibres and Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA.At the heart of the case were the bomb timers used in the attacks. Forensic scientists had examined them for both fibres and Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA.
LCN is a relatively recent development of DNA science which allows analysis of tiny samples of skin cells, sweat and other bodily fluids.LCN is a relatively recent development of DNA science which allows analysis of tiny samples of skin cells, sweat and other bodily fluids.
The prosecution claimed that the forensic examination had shown links to the south Armagh electrician.The prosecution claimed that the forensic examination had shown links to the south Armagh electrician.
Mr Hoey's solicitor said on Thursday: "Today's judgement - a reasoned, lengthy and well considered judgement - completely vindicated this position that he (Mr Hoey) maintained. Sean Hoey is an innocent man."