Omagh Bomb victim’s sister critical of garda’s inquiry interview

Gardai did not carry out any investigations at the scene of the car theft until August 18, three days after the bombing, which did not yield any evidence.

After the bombing an appeal by the force for evidence brought forward three potential witnesses to the car’s movements.

A garda officer saw the vehicle in Carrickmacross and said there were two occupants.

He also provided a detailed description of the driver of the car.

Another witness claimed to have seen the car in a car park in Crossmaglen at 10:45 BST on the morning of 13 Aug.

She noticed the Donegal registration plate and vehicle and thought it was “unusual in Crossmaglen”.

An hour later a maroon car matching the description was spotted close to Castlebellingham 16 miles from Dundalk in County Louth.

Following the playout of the detective’s interview, Mr Greaney KC said the method of gathering the evidence had “limitations”.

“It was not the full dynamic process of questioning and pressing of witnesses.”

He also said that further questions for Gardaí had arisen.

“We do fully intend to utilise the procedure to seek answers from the Republic of Ireland to the outstanding questions which undoubtedly do exist.”

Garda officers and others state witnesses were previously unable to speak to the inquiry due to concerns around national security.

In June the Irish government brought in new legislation that allowed agreed questions to be put to the Gardaí and other state witnesses in an Irish court in front of a judge with the answers recorded for the inquiry.

Earlier this week counsel to the inquiry said the Irish government had co-operated with the inquiry and had disclosed substantial amounts of documentation which forms a significant part of the work of the current phase of the inquiry.

Further evidence will be heard at a later stage in the inquiry.