M15 failed to tell police about Omagh bombing tip-off
Even after the explosion, which killed 29 people, MI5 failed to inform Special Branch of the threat, and details have only just emerged as part of an investigation into an FBI agent who infiltrated the Real IRA, the dissident republican group which carried out the attack.
Relatives of some of the Omagh dead yesterday said they were astonished by the disclosure, and with MI5 preparing next year to take control of national security intelligence in Northern Ireland, one MP called on Downing Street to abandon its plan.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said: “Allowing MI5 to have a lead role in intelligence in Northern Ireland would be like appointing Herod as children’s commissioner.”
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan, 21, was among those killed, said: “At best, this is criminal negligence. At worst, it’s assisting a terrorist murder plot.”
Three dissident republicans were arrested and later released without charge at the time of the foiled April 1998 bomb plot four-and-a-half months before Omagh was attacked.
It followed an MI5 tip-off involving American FBI agent David Rupert, who was working undercover in the ranks of the Real IRA, warning that Omagh or Derry - but most likely Omagh - was to be hit by a dissident republican unit based in Fermanagh and the Letterkenny area of neighbouring Co Donegal.
The car containing a mortar bomb was never found, although it is believed the device may have been the same as one used in an attack on security forces in the border town of Belleek, Co Fermanagh, three weeks later.
At the time, the RUC was aware a planned terrorist operation had been disrupted, but according to authoritative security sources yesterday, police found no trace on their records of any MI5 intelligence that Omagh, or Derry, would be a target.
Details emerged after inquiries in the United States, where detectives investigating Omagh spoke with Rupert and examined emails the agent had exchanged with his FBI and MI5 handlers.
It was Rupert’s evidence to a court in Dublin in 2003 which helped convict Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt, who was jailed for 20 years for directing terrorism.
Gardaí in the Republic are not being blamed for holding back on any information linked to the failed bomb plot, four-and-a-half months before Omagh was attacked in August 1998 by a gang based in south Armagh and Co Louth.
But there is serious unease among security chiefs about MI5’s handling of the affair.
It is understood the agency also failed to inform two senior British police officers called in by the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the Police Service of Northern Ireland to quality-assure a new investigation after the initial one came in for such fierce criticism by Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan.
Mr Gallagher said yesterday’s revelation would heighten the pressure on the British and Irish Governments to set up a full cross-Border independent inquiry.
He said: “MI5 is considered one of the top intelligence agencies in the world and had their finger very much on the pulse, yet they failed to notify the RUC that Omagh was a chosen target of a very active terrorist group.”
Mr Gallagher added: “There must be a cross-Border public inquiry to establish a truthful account of all events surrounding Omagh.”
The victims’ relatives are pressing ahead with a High Court civil action seeking £14 million (€20.6m) compensation against the five men they blame for the bombing.
Next September the trial is to begin of Sean Hoey, 36, from south Armagh, who has denied murdering the 29 people.
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