A team of police officers from outside Northern Ireland may be brought in to head a new inquiry into the Omagh bomb atrocity, Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan revealed today.
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He said he has considered the use of external in a move to try to reassure the victims' families there will be no let up in the hunt for the bombers.
"If that's what it takes to reassure victims that no stone will be left unturned in this investigation, which remains current and live, then we will bring in a team from outside," Mr Flanagan said.
Police resources investigating the Omagh atrocity have been scaled down dramatically, and with nobody yet charged with any of the murders there has been criticism by the families that not enough was being done.
All the members of the ‘Real IRA’ who were involved have been identified but police claim they have insufficient evidence to bring any of them to trial.
"We've had external teams before for different reasons. But I want those families to have every reassurance that every lead will be followed up in this investigation."
The Chief Constable denied bringing in an outside team was a sign of desperation.
"I think it's possible these people (the bombers) can be got. We will not give up all hope, but at the same time I wouldn't want to give rise to false hope."
PA