Northern Ireland

FBI spy warned Omagh was potential target for dissidents before 1998 bomb, court hears

Michael Gallagher is challenging the British government's refusal to hold a public inquiry into 1998 Omagh bombing
Michael Gallagher is challenging the British government's refusal to hold a public inquiry into 1998 Omagh bombing Michael Gallagher is challenging the British government's refusal to hold a public inquiry into 1998 Omagh bombing

AN FBI spy who infiltrated dissident republican ranks warned that Omagh had been identified as a potential target weeks before the town was bombed, the High Court has heard.

Lawyers for Michael Gallagher claimed emails sent by David Rupert provided an opportunity to carry out surveillance on "people of interest".

He is challenging the British government's refusal to hold a public inquiry into the Real IRA attack in August 1998.

His son Aiden was among 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, who died in the atrocity.

The case centres on claims that a range of intelligence from British security agents, MI5 and RUC officers could have been drawn together to prevent the bombing.

Hugh Southey QC, for Mr Gallagher, referred to emails from Mr Rupert, a US trucking boss-turned FBI spy said to have infiltrated the Real and Continuity IRA.

Correspondence sent weeks before the strike on Omagh names a man who allegedly suggested reduced warning times for bombs to increase the risk, as well as the need for "more bangers" and to have "a few more British going home in boxes".

The court heard that Omagh was identified as a potential target by both Mr Rupert and in an anonymous call to police on August 4 - 11 days before the attack.

Mr Southey stressed that those strands must be viewed together rather than in isolation.

"The problem is, on the open evidence, nobody links (the) Rupert (emails) to the anonymous call.

"Had they done that one would at the very least have reached the conclusion there was an increased desire on the part of dissident republicans to carry out fatal attacks, and Omagh was being mentioned, not just once but twice, as a potential target."

Mr Gallagher launched his legal action after former Secretary of State Theresa Villiers rejected calls for a public investigation back in September 2013.

She decided instead that a probe by Police Ombudsman Michael Maguire was the best way to address any outstanding issues.

The challenge had been delayed due to issues over holding partially closed hearings to protect national security.

Mr Southey advanced the case on behalf of Mr Gallagher before proceedings continue in private session.

"Whatever one makes of the Rupert material on its own, if one links it with other material suggesting dissidents were generally well equipped and material suggesting Omagh might be a target, one might have expected greater action to be taken," the barrister submitted.

The hearing, which is listed for five days, continues.