Flanagan's officers challenge Omagh report

A report by Ulster’s ex-chief constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan into the Omagh bomb investigation is being challenged by two of his former senior officers, it was revealed last night.

Affadavits prepared by Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan and Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kincaid have been lodged at the High Court in Belfast.

The two officers have also challenged a statement by a former assistant chief constable, Raymond White, who was head of Special Branch and CID at the time of the outrage in August 1998 which left 29 people dead.

A devastatingly critical report by Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan is being contested at the High Court by the Police Association of Northern Ireland, which represents all ranks including the Chief Constable.

No date has been fixed for the hearing but a judicial review seeking to have Mrs O’Loan’s report set aside is likely to take place before the summer.

Sir Ronnie, whose leadership was heavily criticised by the Ombudsman, has since retired as chief constable and is now with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.

But the signed affadavit by two of his senior officers challenging his report is certain to strengthen the Ombudsman’s defence.

A spokesman for Mrs O’Loan’s office said tonight: ‘‘We can confirm that Mr McQuillan and Mr Kincaid have made affidavits for us which have been lodged in the High Court.’’

Mr McQuillan is one of three officers who have been shortlisted for the job of Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Interviews for the post will take place next Wednesday.

At the centre of Mrs O’Loan’s defence is likely to be the question of leadership of the Omagh investigation by the then RUC.

No one has been charged with any of the murders but relatives of some of the victims have lodged a civil action seeking compensation against the Real IRA and five men who they claim were linked to the atrocity.

A spokesman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said tonight: ‘‘Mr McQuillan and Mr Kincaid have made the affidavits in a personal capacity at the request of the Ombudsman.

‘‘It would be inappropriate for the Police Service of Northern Ireland to make any further comment because we are not a party to the judicial proceedings.’’