FAMILIES TO RELIVE PAIN OF OMAGH
Families to relive pain of Omagh
Coroner can't name bomb suspects
By Darwin Templeton
WHEN he opens the inquest into the Omagh massacre tomorrow, coroner John Leckey will be acutely aware that no one is on trial.
Frustration has been mounting among the families of the 29 victims of the bomb at the lack of progress in catching the bombers.
And as they relive the horror of August 15, 1998, hearing, for the first time in some cases, the painful detail of what unfolded, their desire for justice will grow.
Already, they have asked Mr Leckey to summons Francie Mackey, chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee, along with the Dundalk man charged in connection with the attack, to give evidence.
Last week, Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan died in the bombing, gave a statement to police concerning Mr Mackey.
Mr Leckey must now rule on the controversial application. But if the families are hoping that the Real IRA gang who plotted and carried out the attack are about to be exposed, they will be disappointed.
The function of the inquest is merely to establish the facts surrounding the deaths, by gathering evidence from all those involved.
The hearing is designed to find out who died, and when, where and how the deaths took place. But Mr Leckey does not have the powers to try to identify who was responsible for the killings.
Investigating police officers will testify - but will be careful not to divulge any information which could compromise an inquiry which is technically still ongoing.
They are among over 150 witnesses who will be called to help piece together events on the day of the bombing.
Their evidence will start from the telephone bomb warnings to the horrific aftermath as hospital staff and emergency services fought to save lives.
Given the extent of the inquest, its profile and the sensitivities involved, the Lord Chancellor entrusted the task to Mr Leckey, coroner for Greater Belfast since 1992.
For the last month, workers have been transforming the minor hall at Omagh leisure centre into a courtroom, capable of seating 250 people.
Because of the exceptional circumstances, the Lord Chancellor offered civil legal aid to allow the victims' families to hire lawyers.
In the end, they did not all qualify for State assistance, but it is thought that three-quarters will have lawyers present when the hearings open.
Relatives are approaching the inquest with apprehension, particularly the sections dealing with post mortem reports.
Such is their concern that local churches have organised prayers before sessions of the inquest in an effort to offer comfort and support.
Michael Gallagher agreed that the families were facing further trauma, but said he hoped some positive aspects might emerge.
"It's going to be very difficult as we are going to hear the gruesome detail of what happened on August 15,1998.
"From that day on, people were telling us to look to the future, now we are being forced to look back. There was a lot of horror that day, but there was also a lot of heroism and a lot of humanity and hopefully some of those stories will come out."
Coroner can't name bomb suspects
By Darwin Templeton
WHEN he opens the inquest into the Omagh massacre tomorrow, coroner John Leckey will be acutely aware that no one is on trial.
Frustration has been mounting among the families of the 29 victims of the bomb at the lack of progress in catching the bombers.
And as they relive the horror of August 15, 1998, hearing, for the first time in some cases, the painful detail of what unfolded, their desire for justice will grow.
Already, they have asked Mr Leckey to summons Francie Mackey, chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee, along with the Dundalk man charged in connection with the attack, to give evidence.
Last week, Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan died in the bombing, gave a statement to police concerning Mr Mackey.
Mr Leckey must now rule on the controversial application. But if the families are hoping that the Real IRA gang who plotted and carried out the attack are about to be exposed, they will be disappointed.
The function of the inquest is merely to establish the facts surrounding the deaths, by gathering evidence from all those involved.
The hearing is designed to find out who died, and when, where and how the deaths took place. But Mr Leckey does not have the powers to try to identify who was responsible for the killings.
Investigating police officers will testify - but will be careful not to divulge any information which could compromise an inquiry which is technically still ongoing.
They are among over 150 witnesses who will be called to help piece together events on the day of the bombing.
Their evidence will start from the telephone bomb warnings to the horrific aftermath as hospital staff and emergency services fought to save lives.
Given the extent of the inquest, its profile and the sensitivities involved, the Lord Chancellor entrusted the task to Mr Leckey, coroner for Greater Belfast since 1992.
For the last month, workers have been transforming the minor hall at Omagh leisure centre into a courtroom, capable of seating 250 people.
Because of the exceptional circumstances, the Lord Chancellor offered civil legal aid to allow the victims' families to hire lawyers.
In the end, they did not all qualify for State assistance, but it is thought that three-quarters will have lawyers present when the hearings open.
Relatives are approaching the inquest with apprehension, particularly the sections dealing with post mortem reports.
Such is their concern that local churches have organised prayers before sessions of the inquest in an effort to offer comfort and support.
Michael Gallagher agreed that the families were facing further trauma, but said he hoped some positive aspects might emerge.
"It's going to be very difficult as we are going to hear the gruesome detail of what happened on August 15,1998.
"From that day on, people were telling us to look to the future, now we are being forced to look back. There was a lot of horror that day, but there was also a lot of heroism and a lot of humanity and hopefully some of those stories will come out."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0601
Published Date: 05-Sep-00
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