Government rejects Real IRA claims

The Government tonight rejected new claims of a deal with Real IRA terrorists responsible for the Omagh outrage in a bid for a ceasefire by the paramilitary group.

Foreign Minister Brian Cowen said was a “ludicrous contention” that the Government had offered any concessions to the Real IRA in return for a ceasefire soon after the blast in the Co Tyrone town, when 29 people were killed and more than 200 injured.