Skip to content
Llamar.ai
Menu
Back to recent public pages

Public page

Omagh bombing inquiry: Ex-watchdog told she would 'destroy peace process'

Source

www.bbc.co.uk

Published Source checked

Added to Llamar Summary updated

Open the original source (opens in a new tab)
Baroness Nuala O'Loan - a woman with short, curly blonde hair, pictured outside a tall building. She is wearing a black suit jacket over a white blouse, a silver brooch and gold hooped earrings.

Understand

Former police ombudsman told she would destroy peace process over Omagh report, inquiry hears

Overview

The Omagh Bombing Inquiry has heard that former Police Ombudsman Baroness Nuala O'Loan was warned by then-RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan that publishing a critical report into the police investigation of the 1998 Omagh bombing would destroy the peace process. Baroness O'Loan gave evidence detailing hostility, delays in sharing information, and legal threats she faced ahead of the report's publication in December 2001, which ultimately found serious flaws in the RUC's handling of intelligence and the investigation.

Key points

  • Baroness Nuala O'Loan told the Omagh Bombing Inquiry that Sir Ronnie Flanagan warned her she would destroy the peace process if she published her critical report.
  • The 2001 report criticised the RUC's investigation into the 1998 Omagh bombing, which killed 29 people.
  • Baroness O'Loan described facing hostility, difficulties accessing complete information, and a threat of judicial review from Sir Ronnie to stop publication.
  • The inquiry heard that police dismissed a specific warning call received on 4 August regarding an attack on 15 August as a fallout among smugglers.
Report this page