The Omagh Bombing Inquiry in Belfast has heard that the former Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, Baroness Nuala O'Loan, encountered significant difficulties in obtaining intelligence from the RUC during her investigation into the 1998 atrocity.

O'Loan, who was the first holder of the ombudsman role, told the inquiry that her team experienced 'astonishment' when they discovered that the RUC had not disclosed a review of its original investigation into the bombing. The review had been carried out by Chief Superintendent Brian McVicker, but O'Loan said she was initially told there was only one copy, kept in a senior officer's safe, and it was unlikely to be made available.

She described the process of extracting information from the police as 'profoundly difficult', comparing it to 'trying to almost draw teeth'. The ombudsman also said that intelligence initially provided to her office was redacted, which she argued made it impossible to conduct a proper inquiry. Access to the police database for handling intelligence was eventually granted after arguments.

O'Loan said she did not feel particularly supported by the Northern Ireland Office, though she noted there had been 'a significant amount of outrage among certain members of the unionist parties' regarding the investigation.

The inquiry also heard that O'Loan had a private meeting with then RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan just before her final report was published in December 2001. She said Flanagan told her the report would 'destroy the peace process' and that her office would never recover. O'Loan said she was 'shocked' after the meeting.

During the same period, O'Loan said she was subjected to personal attacks, including being described on television as a 'suicide bomber who had outlived my usefulness'. The inquiry was told the remark was made by Lord Drumglass, formerly Ulster Unionist MP Ken Maginnis, on Newsnight on December 6 2001.

O'Loan's report, published on December 12 2001, concluded that even if reasonable action had been taken regarding intelligence from an undercover agent known as Kevin Fulton, it was unlikely the bombing could have been prevented. It also found that an anonymous telephone call received on August 4 1998 containing detailed information about an imminent attack in Omagh had not been acted upon by police.

The inquiry, chaired by Lord Turnbull, is examining whether the bombing could reasonably have been prevented by UK state authorities. It is currently hearing evidence in Belfast.