OMAGH VICTIMS HIT BY COMPENSATION DELAY
Omagh victims hit by compensation delay
Government accused of dragging its heels
VICTIMS of the Omagh bombing today accused the Government of dragging its heels over compensation payments to those who were bereaved or injured. Families which lost loved ones were still waiting despite the Government having said that it would fast-track payments, said the Omagh Victims Group. But the Northern Ireland Office blamed solicitors acting for the claimants for the delays.
The horrific bombing in August 1998 killed 29 people, including a mother pregnant with twins, and injured hundreds more.
Victims' group chairman Michael Gallagher said the Government had promised to make payments quickly.
But Mr Gallagher, who lost his son Aidan in the bombing, said: "Almost four years on we still have a substantial number of the families who still have not received compensation. "We feel this is unbelievable given the fact that the Government said at the time that there would be a fast track system put in place." The Northern Ireland Office said it had made every effort to settle claims, particularly those of bereaved relatives which where kept "short review" and had been personally reviewed by the minister.
But a spokesman said the Compensation Agency needed full information regarding loss of dependency and financial loss before they could discharge the compensation. "We have been pressing applicants' solicitors to provide this information and in all cases that are outstanding we are waiting on such information from applicants' professional representatives," said a spokesman.
He said it was not in anyone's interests to resolve the claims without having confirmation of the extent of the loss and in the case of those seriously injured, confirmation that their medical condition had stabilised, and that they had recovered to the fullest extent possible.
Government accused of dragging its heels
VICTIMS of the Omagh bombing today accused the Government of dragging its heels over compensation payments to those who were bereaved or injured. Families which lost loved ones were still waiting despite the Government having said that it would fast-track payments, said the Omagh Victims Group. But the Northern Ireland Office blamed solicitors acting for the claimants for the delays.
The horrific bombing in August 1998 killed 29 people, including a mother pregnant with twins, and injured hundreds more.
Victims' group chairman Michael Gallagher said the Government had promised to make payments quickly.
But Mr Gallagher, who lost his son Aidan in the bombing, said: "Almost four years on we still have a substantial number of the families who still have not received compensation. "We feel this is unbelievable given the fact that the Government said at the time that there would be a fast track system put in place." The Northern Ireland Office said it had made every effort to settle claims, particularly those of bereaved relatives which where kept "short review" and had been personally reviewed by the minister.
But a spokesman said the Compensation Agency needed full information regarding loss of dependency and financial loss before they could discharge the compensation. "We have been pressing applicants' solicitors to provide this information and in all cases that are outstanding we are waiting on such information from applicants' professional representatives," said a spokesman.
He said it was not in anyone's interests to resolve the claims without having confirmation of the extent of the loss and in the case of those seriously injured, confirmation that their medical condition had stabilised, and that they had recovered to the fullest extent possible.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0851
Published Date: 08-Apr-02
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