Omagh bomb report to be published

The Omagh bombing was Northern Ireland's worst guerrilla attack

BELFAST, Northern Ireland -- A controversial report revealing how much police knew in advance about the Omagh bombing, which killed 29, is being released in the next few hours.

Early on Wednesday ahead of publication, Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland Nuala O'Loan was meeting relatives of those who died in the August 1998 atrocity.

She was having a private discussion with them in the Co Tyrone town to hand over and discuss the report and was then returning to Belfast to release the document.

O'Loan's report centres on whether a warning of an attack given to the Royal Ulster Constabulary's anti-terrorist Special Branch and not passed on could have avoided the slaughter.

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Media reports from Northern Ireland have suggested a warning of an attack was given 11 days previously, though not necessarily of a bombing.

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid insisted at the weekend that there was no warning of a bomb in Omagh before the explosion.

Reid, who has seen a draft of the report, insisted it does not say information that was received ahead of the attack could have averted the tragedy.

According to the UK Press Association, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland which has replaced the RUC was outraged when he was sent a draft of the report.

He asked for publication to be delayed to allow him to respond to its criticisms.

IRA splinter group the 'Real IRA' said they planted the bomb

PA quoted him as saying the report contained "significant factual inaccuracies, unwarranted assumptions, misunderstandings and material omissions."

O'Loan refused his request, insisting the report would be published on schedule on Wednesday with or without a response from the police. It will be without.

Earlier this year victims' relatives launched an unprecedented court action against five men they alleged were members of the "Real IRA," an anti-British faction that opposes the peace process.

Split from the Irish Republican Army, the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the bombing.

The Omagh car bomb wounded more than 200 people and was aimed at ruining the Good Friday peace accord of April 1998.

Only one person has been charged in connection with the bombing. The man was charged with conspiracy to cause an explosion and is awaiting trial in the Irish Republic.