Understand
Irish army received warning day before Omagh bomb, inquiry told
Overview
The Omagh Bombing Inquiry has heard evidence from journalist John Ware that an Irish army camp received a warning about a bomb target in Omagh the day before the 1998 explosion. Ware also testified about a lack of information sharing between the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and An Garda Síochána, detailed intelligence assessments prior to the attack, and named individuals he believes were involved.
Key points
- An Irish army camp at Finner Camp received a warning call on 14 August 1998 stating that Omagh was going to be targeted.
- Journalist John Ware told the inquiry that the warning had not been previously reported.
- Ware stated that the RUC and An Garda Síochána operated largely in parallel rather than collaborating closely or routinely sharing intelligence.
- Ware named Colm Murphy, Seamus Daly, and Seamus McKenna as individuals he believes were involved in the attack.
- Ware also recounted receiving indirect threats, including a delivered washing machine, following a 2000 Panorama documentary.