OMAGH SUPPORT EVENT CALLED OFF
Omagh support event called off
By Mary Fitzgerald
A�1,000 a head fundraising event due to be held at a top London hotel in aid of the Omagh Victims Group's civil action, has been cancelled due to lack of interest, it can be revealed today.
The Omagh families had hoped proceeds from the event, which was due to take place on Thursday, would help make up the shortfall needed to pay for their landmark multi-million pound civil action.
Relatives of some of the 29 people killed in the August 1998 bombing are seeking �10m compensation from Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy, Seamus McKenna and Seamus Daly, the men they suspect were behind the bombing.
Writs were served on the five men last July.
Michael Gallagher, chairman of the Omagh Victims Group, said he was "very disappointed" that the event had to be called off.
"I was told last night that it wasn't going ahead and it is a real disappointment.
"A lot of effort was put into organising the event and to have it cancelled is a real setback," he said.
"We were hoping that if the event had been a success, the �500,000 shortfall would be met and that would be the end of the fundraising.
"Now we must put it behind us and put our shoulders to the wheel to make sure the civil action doesn't fall at the final hurdle."
The families have been campaigning to raise around �2million to carry out the civil action case.
The Omagh campaign has been backed by celebrities and politicians including US President George W Bush, rock star Bob Geldof, ex-Formula One driver Eddie Irvine, former boxer Barry McGuigan and former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson.
In a letter sent to the group last year, the US President expressed his support for the families' legal action.
Only one man, Colm Murphy, has been convicted of charges connected with the bombing.
Those named in the writs can ignore the civil legal action but the families can proceed with their case in open court.
If the court rules in favour of the families, the suspects face losing their personal assets.
The writs claim "damages (including aggravated damages and/or exemplary damages)... for which the defendants and each of them are responsible."
By Mary Fitzgerald
A�1,000 a head fundraising event due to be held at a top London hotel in aid of the Omagh Victims Group's civil action, has been cancelled due to lack of interest, it can be revealed today.
The Omagh families had hoped proceeds from the event, which was due to take place on Thursday, would help make up the shortfall needed to pay for their landmark multi-million pound civil action.
Relatives of some of the 29 people killed in the August 1998 bombing are seeking �10m compensation from Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy, Seamus McKenna and Seamus Daly, the men they suspect were behind the bombing.
Writs were served on the five men last July.
Michael Gallagher, chairman of the Omagh Victims Group, said he was "very disappointed" that the event had to be called off.
"I was told last night that it wasn't going ahead and it is a real disappointment.
"A lot of effort was put into organising the event and to have it cancelled is a real setback," he said.
"We were hoping that if the event had been a success, the �500,000 shortfall would be met and that would be the end of the fundraising.
"Now we must put it behind us and put our shoulders to the wheel to make sure the civil action doesn't fall at the final hurdle."
The families have been campaigning to raise around �2million to carry out the civil action case.
The Omagh campaign has been backed by celebrities and politicians including US President George W Bush, rock star Bob Geldof, ex-Formula One driver Eddie Irvine, former boxer Barry McGuigan and former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson.
In a letter sent to the group last year, the US President expressed his support for the families' legal action.
Only one man, Colm Murphy, has been convicted of charges connected with the bombing.
Those named in the writs can ignore the civil legal action but the families can proceed with their case in open court.
If the court rules in favour of the families, the suspects face losing their personal assets.
The writs claim "damages (including aggravated damages and/or exemplary damages)... for which the defendants and each of them are responsible."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0889
Published Date: 06-May-03
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.