A legal representative for bereaved families of the 1998 Omagh bombing has called for an independent public inquiry into alleged links between the Garda Síochána and MI5. The request comes after a former head of the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch claimed a “Garda-MI5 source” was involved in the plot.
The inquiry would examine potential intelligence-sharing between Irish security forces and British intelligence agencies. The claim was made by a legal representative acting on behalf of the families, who argue the issue remains unresolved. The families have previously sought transparency on the matter, but no official action has been taken.
The Omagh bombing, which killed 27 people, remains one of the deadliest attacks in Northern Ireland’s history. The case has been the subject of multiple investigations, including a 2016 report by the UK’s Public Accounts Committee. Despite these efforts, questions about intelligence cooperation between the PSNI and MI5 continue to surface.
The latest call for a public inquiry follows a recent interview with Peadar Tóibín, a former Sinn Féin politician, which was cancelled due to the unavailability of an Irish-speaking interpreter. The cancellation highlights ongoing challenges in accessing key figures for further discussion.
The families’ legal team remains determined to push for clarity, emphasizing the need for an independent review to address unresolved concerns. No official response from the Irish government has been announced.
