Omagh bombing: Ombudsman and police clash

A war of words has broken out between the North’s police Ombudsman and the Police Association about the Omagh bombing.

The Police Association has accused Nuala O'Loan of leaking details to divert attention from what it says are her own shortcomings.

This is the latest salvo in the increasingly bitter public row between the Ombudsman and the Association, which represents all ranks of police.

It was revealed today that two of the North’s assistant chief constables have lodged affidavits denying responsibility for the inquiry into the Omagh bombing and therefore potential blame for its alleged shortcomings.

This contradicts a report from the former chief constable, Ronnie Flanagan, and the head of CID, in which they also deny responsibility and say the two assistant chief constables were in charge.

Now the Police Association has blamed the Ombudsman for the leak of the affidavits, accused her of inaccuracies and of trying to divert attention from the "gross injustices" she has inflicted on individual officers.