Omagh bomb victims' group seeks meeting with Blair

Relatives of Omagh bomb victims last night told the British government they wanted face-to-face talks with Prime Minister Tony…

Relatives of Omagh bomb victims last night told the British government they wanted face-to-face talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Families of some of the 29 people killed held talks with Secretary of State Paul Murphy in Belfast. They are pressing for a cross-Border inquiry into the worst single atrocity in Northern Ireland's conflict.

The Omagh Group urged Mr Murphy to do more to get co-operation from the authorities in the Republic.

Relatives claim the Government could do more to help their cause.

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They are also demanding information about how deeply the security services had infiltrated the "Real IRA" before the dissident republican group carried out the August 1998 attack on the Co Tyrone market town. Advance warnings to police about imminent terror strikes before the Omagh bomb have fuelled their anger.

Mr Michael Gallagher, whose son, Aiden, was among those killed, said it was time to go to Downing Street.

He said: "We have met everybody else and now it's time to meet Tony Blair.

"At the end of the day that's the man that all this rests with.

"Paul Murphy told us he would directly pass on our request to him."

New CCTV systems are to be installed in a £2 million offensive against town-centre crime in Northern Ireland, the British government revealed yesterday.

Extra security cameras will be erected as part of a developing scheme to identify thugs, vandals and shoplifters roaming the streets.

With many people too scared to go out after dark, Criminal Justice Minister John Spellar pledged there would be no let up in the fight. "This £2 million boost will help areas across Northern Ireland become safer places to work, visit or spend leisure time," he said.

"Government recognises the valuable part that CCTV can play in tackling problems associated with community safety and concerns about crime." - (PA)