McDowell seeks legal advice on Omagh report

The Minister for Justice has sought legal advice on issues arising from a report on allegations the Garda had information the…

The Minister for Justice has sought legal advice on issues arising from a report on allegations the Garda had information the "Real IRA" was planning a car bomb attack before the Omagh blast.

Mr McDowell said in a statement this afternoon he has been considering the report which he has received from a three-man committee chaired by Mr Dermot Nally.

The former minister for justice, Mr O'Donoghue, decided to set up the inquiry last year after the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, Ms Nuala O'Loan, presented a report to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Brian Cowen.

That report related to allegations made by a serving garda about the handling by the authorities of intelligence information about the activities of paramilitary groups.

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"As indicated previously, the Minister will make a statement in relation to the findings of the group," Mr McDowell's statement said.

"It is intended that such a statement will be made in the Dail on its return. The Minister will have no further comment to make on the matter prior to that," it added.

Earlier the Labour Party's justice spokesman called on Mr McDowell to publish the findings of the report.

He said: "Given that it now more than 16 months since the original inquiry was established, we are surely entitled to some indication as to when the report will be concluded and published.

"If any of these allegations are true - and at this stage it must be stressed again that they are only allegations - it would have enormous consequences for the Gardaí.

"If they are untrue, it is only fair that the stain of suspicion be removed from the Gardaí without further delay."

Patrick  Logue

Patrick Logue

Patrick Logue is Digital Editor of The Irish Times