Ahern admits pre-Omagh contact with 32-County Movement

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has told the Dail that his Government had no contacts with the Real IRA following the 1998 Omagh bombing.

However, Mr Ahern did admit that his former Northern advisor, Martin Mansergh, contacted the 32-County Sovereignty Movement - the political wing of the Real IRA - before the Omagh attack to seek a ceasefire. However, Mr Ahern said these efforts failed and the Government made no contact with the group again.