OMAGH FAMILIES WIN A DAY IN COURT
Omagh families win a day in court
CIVIL ACTION: Bereaved may find some degree of closure at last
By serving writs on five Real IRA suspects, lawyers acting for the Omagh Victims Legal Trust have taken a first step towards securing a day in court. But from bitter experience, the relatives will know that there are still hurdles to be overcome.
The frustration felt by the bereaved families is fully understandable. Despite the most rigorous of investigations, nobody has so far been prosecuted for the 1998 bombing, in which 29 people were killed. To date, just one person has been convicted of conspiracy, and jailed for 14 years in the Republic. But otherwise, the trail appears to have gone cold. What makes the victims' families all the more incensed is that television documentaries and newspaper features have long since identified the alleged members of the bomb team. The missing element has been evidence which will stand up in court. It is scandalous that those who could testify and convict the terrorists have instead chosen to remain silent. Either through misguided loyalty or fear for their own safety, they have allowed the guilty parties to retain their freedom.
The bid by the relatives to bring a civil action is in some ways a last throw of the dice. Whether or not the five suspects choose to attend the Belfast hearing, it means that the families will have their day in court. Even if those upon whom the writs have been served choose to ignore them, the case against each of the alleged bombers will still be detailed in public.
The very fact that such proceedings are set to take place should help provide some degree of closure for the bereaved. And the families could yet win judgement by default, enabling them to threaten the assets of the suspects. The campaign to raise funds, which is ongoing, has helped keep the spotlight on the atrocity. As relatives spokesman Michael Gallagher says, nothing can bring back those who were killed. But the fact that legal action is being taken against the alleged perpetrators should provide the families with some satisfaction.
Regardless of what happens next, the Omagh families will be reassured by the knowledge that they enjoy a strong measure of sympathy and support from the public. Civil actions do not come cheap, and it is only thanks to the pennies from pensioners and cheques from celebrities that the case has reached this point.
The dignity with which the Omagh victims group has pursued its quest for justice should be an inspiration to everybody.
CIVIL ACTION: Bereaved may find some degree of closure at last
By serving writs on five Real IRA suspects, lawyers acting for the Omagh Victims Legal Trust have taken a first step towards securing a day in court. But from bitter experience, the relatives will know that there are still hurdles to be overcome.
The frustration felt by the bereaved families is fully understandable. Despite the most rigorous of investigations, nobody has so far been prosecuted for the 1998 bombing, in which 29 people were killed. To date, just one person has been convicted of conspiracy, and jailed for 14 years in the Republic. But otherwise, the trail appears to have gone cold. What makes the victims' families all the more incensed is that television documentaries and newspaper features have long since identified the alleged members of the bomb team. The missing element has been evidence which will stand up in court. It is scandalous that those who could testify and convict the terrorists have instead chosen to remain silent. Either through misguided loyalty or fear for their own safety, they have allowed the guilty parties to retain their freedom.
The bid by the relatives to bring a civil action is in some ways a last throw of the dice. Whether or not the five suspects choose to attend the Belfast hearing, it means that the families will have their day in court. Even if those upon whom the writs have been served choose to ignore them, the case against each of the alleged bombers will still be detailed in public.
The very fact that such proceedings are set to take place should help provide some degree of closure for the bereaved. And the families could yet win judgement by default, enabling them to threaten the assets of the suspects. The campaign to raise funds, which is ongoing, has helped keep the spotlight on the atrocity. As relatives spokesman Michael Gallagher says, nothing can bring back those who were killed. But the fact that legal action is being taken against the alleged perpetrators should provide the families with some satisfaction.
Regardless of what happens next, the Omagh families will be reassured by the knowledge that they enjoy a strong measure of sympathy and support from the public. Civil actions do not come cheap, and it is only thanks to the pennies from pensioners and cheques from celebrities that the case has reached this point.
The dignity with which the Omagh victims group has pursued its quest for justice should be an inspiration to everybody.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0865
Published Date: 27-Jul-02
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