Three released after questioning over Omagh memorial vandalism

Three people arrested for questioning about the vandalism at the Garden of Remembrance in Omagh were tonight released on police…

Three people arrested for questioning about the vandalism at the Garden of Remembrance in Omagh were tonight released on police bail pending further inquiries.

The two men and a juvenile were arrested by the RUC at different addresses in the Co Tyrone town today, an RUC spokeswoman said.

The vandalising of the memorial to the 29 people killed in the Real IRA attack sickened and stunned the families of the victims and led to widespread political condemnation.

Northern Secretary Mr John Reid said be felt both "sorrow and outrage" at the attack which was discovered on Friday morning.

Vandals uprooted trees, overturned seats, smashed flowerpots and pulled out shrubs.

The attack came just hours after a special CD-rom archive on material gathered about the bombing in August 1998 was launched in Omagh by former Beirut hostage Mr Terry Waite.

The CD, called One Day in August, contains media reports of the bombing which also injured more than 250 people, extracts from the books of condolence and letters from around the world.

It will be used in schools and libraries throughout the Omagh area.

PA

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter