The Newshound

'Destroy the peace process': RUC chief threatened Omagh watchdog to kill bomb report, inquiry hears

Baroness Nuala O'Loan told the inquiry she was branded a "suicide bomber who had outlived my usefulness" on television during the 2001 row over her critical report into the Omagh bomb investigation.
Baroness Nuala O'Loan told the inquiry she was branded a "suicide bomber who had outlived my usefulness" on television during the 2001 row over her critical report into the Omagh bomb investigation.

Baroness Nuala O'Loan told the Omagh Bombing Inquiry on Wednesday that former RUC chief constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan warned her that publishing her critical report into the Omagh bomb investigation would "destroy the peace process". She also revealed she was branded a "suicide bomber who had outlived my usefulness" on television during the 2001 row over the report. O'Loan now believes there is a "very cogent argument" that authorities could have stopped the bomb that killed 29 people in 1998.

The RUC stonewalled O'Loan's investigators, with her team left in "astonishment" — getting intelligence reports felt 'like pulling teeth'.

Sir Ronnie also threatened legal action to block publication of the report, which was scathing about both him and the RUC's assistant chief constable.

An undercover agent, Kevin Fulton, had reportedly warned his RUC handlers three days before the blast that a car bomb was being prepared — but the warning was never actioned.

Morelondon-now.co.ukFlanagan told me Omagh report would destroy the peace processirishexaminer.comNI former police ombudsman:Evening StandardFlanagan told me Omagh report would destroy the peace process – Nuala O’LoanEvening StandardI was told Omagh report would destroy the peace processEvening StandardGetting information from RUC about Omagh like pulling teethBBCEx-watchdog told she would 'destroy peace process'Irish Times‘Something could have been done’ to prevent Omagh bombing, Nuala O’Loan tells inquiryThe Impartial ReporterI was told Omagh report would destroy the peace process – Nuala O’Loan - The Impartial ReporterBBC News - UKOmagh bombing inquiry: Ex-watchdog told she would 'destroy peace process'
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