Former ombudsman says no proof RUC probed terror links from Omagh warning call

At the public inquiry into the 1998 Omagh bombing, former police ombudsman Nuala O’Loan testified that there is no evidence the Royal Ulster Constabulary ever pursued terror-link investigations of individuals named in an anonymous warning call received 11 days before the attack. Although her own investigation identified some of those names as having links to the Real IRA, she said no records show the RUC checked those connections or informed the Irish police, contrary to statements by former RUC chief Ronnie Flanagan.

O’Loan attempted to interview the two Special Branch officers who handled the tip, but they were unavailable and later retired. She also challenged Flanagan’s argument that the caller’s mention of guns and rocket launchers indicated no bomb connection. The inquiry, led by Lord Turnbull, is holding evidential hearings in Belfast, with a forthcoming 25-day recess before resuming on November 9. Additional evidence includes a 22-minute media compilation shown to the court to illustrate contemporary reporting of the bombing.