By Andrew Bushe
DUBLIN — Despite being given several opportunities to do so, the chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee, Omagh Councilor Francie Mackey, has refused to condemn the market massacre bombing in his hometown.
His son Shane, 19, was one of five people detained by the RUC for questioning in connection with the blast.
The arrests were made in early morning raids on Monday in the Mount Joy area just outside Omagh and at Sixmilecross, Co. Tyrone.
The 32 County Sovereignty movement, which security forces believe to be the political wing of the so-called Real IRA/Oglaigh na hEireann group, said in a statement that it was "shocked and devastated" by the bombing and rejected any suggestion it was responsible.
Mackey, an expelled former Sinn Fein councilor, denied any knowledge of the bombers and categorically rejected claims by the taoiseach and the British prime minister that the 32 County Sovereignty was connected to what happened in Omagh.
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