Omagh relatives to meet Cowen

Relatives of victims of the Omagh bombing are due to meet the Foreign Affairs Minister on Tuesday, it was today confirmed.

The group will discuss with Brian Cowen recent allegations that the Government made a deal with the Real IRA in return for a ceasefire.

Michael Gallagher, a spokesman for the group of relatives, said eight representatives would be travelling to Dublin on Tuesday for the meeting.

“Part of the discussion will be about media speculation that the government were involved in talks with the Real IRA,” he said.

“That will be a big part of our discussion.”

The Government was alleged to have done a deal with the Real IRA group behind the Omagh bomb outrage.

The allegation – said to centre on an agreement not to “harass” Real IRA members in return for a ceasefire – was made in a Channel 4 News programme in October.

The programme also repeated charges about the extent of possibly vital information in the hands of the Garda Siochana ahead of the 1998 bomb attack on the Co Tyrone town, when 29 people died and more than 200 were injured.

The charges originated from John White, a currently suspended detective sergeant in the Garda Siochana.

Mr Gallagher also said the group will also be requesting information from a three-strong inquiry set up to investigate the bombing.

“They are due to report back very shortly,” said Mr Gallagher. “We will be asking them what the findings are, and whether they have an interim report.”

Mr Gallagher said the group also wished to hold a meeting with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, as they initially requested.

“We feel that things we have to say should be brought directly to the top of the Government and can only be dealt with by the Taoiseach,” he said.

A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed Brian Cowen would be meeting the group.

“There will be a general discussion about the aftermath of Omagh,” he said.