OMAGH CORONER TO WRITE TO DPP ON TWINS
Omagh coroner to write to DPP on twins
THE coroner probing the Omagh bombing said today he would press the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge the perpetrators over the deaths of a victim's unborn twins.
John Leckey said he had no jurisdiction over the foetuses being carried by Avril Monaghan (30), who was murdered along with her daughter, Maura, 20 months, her mother Mary Grimes and 26 other people in a Real IRA car explosion in the Tyrone town two years ago.
But he assured relatives of the family that he would write to the DPP asking him to consider bringing charges of child destruction, should those responsible for the massacre ever be caught.
Mrs Monaghan was 34 weeks pregnant with the twin girls, which the inquest has already heard were viable and uninjured in the blast.
The twins' father, joiner Michael Monaghan, was in the court in Omagh Leisure Centre to hear the legal submissions for the inquest to formally recognise the foetuses' status, so the final death toll of the explosion would be counted as 31, not 29.
His solicitor, Barry Fox, said Mr Monaghan did not attend the inquests on his wife, daughter and mother-in-law last week, but "because of his own belief and the way he looks upon the unborn twins he felt it imperative that this argument should be put before you".
He said his client had experienced a "tremendous tragedy" and said: "I would urge you to ameliorate the grief which he has suffered."
Mr Leckey said he had no jurisdiction over stillbirths.
The inquest was adjourned until Monday.
THE coroner probing the Omagh bombing said today he would press the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge the perpetrators over the deaths of a victim's unborn twins.
John Leckey said he had no jurisdiction over the foetuses being carried by Avril Monaghan (30), who was murdered along with her daughter, Maura, 20 months, her mother Mary Grimes and 26 other people in a Real IRA car explosion in the Tyrone town two years ago.
But he assured relatives of the family that he would write to the DPP asking him to consider bringing charges of child destruction, should those responsible for the massacre ever be caught.
Mrs Monaghan was 34 weeks pregnant with the twin girls, which the inquest has already heard were viable and uninjured in the blast.
The twins' father, joiner Michael Monaghan, was in the court in Omagh Leisure Centre to hear the legal submissions for the inquest to formally recognise the foetuses' status, so the final death toll of the explosion would be counted as 31, not 29.
His solicitor, Barry Fox, said Mr Monaghan did not attend the inquests on his wife, daughter and mother-in-law last week, but "because of his own belief and the way he looks upon the unborn twins he felt it imperative that this argument should be put before you".
He said his client had experienced a "tremendous tragedy" and said: "I would urge you to ameliorate the grief which he has suffered."
Mr Leckey said he had no jurisdiction over stillbirths.
The inquest was adjourned until Monday.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0604
Published Date: 29-Sep-00
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