AHERN'S SLAP IN THE FACE FOR OMAGH
Ahern's slap in the face for Omagh
WHEN we decided to take a civil action against those we believed to be responsible for the Omagh bomb, we knew we had a long and hard road before us. But not in our worst moments did we think that the Irish government would treat us as badly as it has.
In the last few weeks, we have received two slaps in the face.
The Taoiseach, who often meets ex-IRA terrorists and last month met paramilitary representatives on the Loyalist Commission, has again said that "due to his heavy schedule of diary commitments"he's too busy to talk to us and the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, has refused us access to transcripts of the trial of Michael McKevitt.
The first snub is an insult to people who have suffered horribly from terrorism. The second is financially disastrous for us.
The bomb killed 31 people, including two not yet born, and injured hundreds more.
At the time, Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair promised that no stone would be unturned and no resources spared to bring the bombers to justice.
Yet, after almost five years, only one person has been charged in connection with that terrible atrocity.
In January 2002, in Dublin, Colm Murphy was found guilty of the comparatively minor charge of conspiring to cause the Omagh bombing and sentenced to 14 years.He is appealing.
The police on both sides of the border say they don't have enough evidence to take criminal proceedings against those they believe to be responsible.
We have taken action because the burden of proof is lighter in a civil case. We are suing the Real IRA, who claimed responsibility for the bomb, as well as five individuals � Liam Campbell, Seamus Daly, Seamus McKenna, Michael McKevitt and Colm Murphy � all of whom are in custody at present for one reason or another connected with terrorism.
Since the Real IRA are continuing to carry out bomb attacks in Ireland and Britain, you might think the authorities would give all possible help to an action designed to weaken the organisation.
You might think the Irish government would feel embarrassed that the Omagh operation was planned and organised in the south and would fall over itself to help those who are pursuing justice for their loved ones.
But no. We have been given occasional fine words and no help.
Having managed with great difficulty to raise more than �1m to finance the case, we still need to find almost as much again. As we all know from the Saville Inquiry � which is likely to cost �200m -lawyers don't come cheap.
Our lawyers are very committed, as well as brave, and have given us large discounts, but the costs of the case are huge.
Since Michael McKevitt (on legal aid) is being charged with being a member of the Real IRA and a director of terrorism, our lawyers need a full transcript of the case. It would have cost the Irish government nothing to let us have access to its transcript. Its refusal means we have to find another �40,000.
We are ordinary people to whom something extraordinary and terrible happened. Although we have been warned of the dangers of taking on the Real IRA, we have faced the risks and are determined to see the case through. All that can defeat us is shortage of money.
The public has been very supportive and so have individuals like Bob Geldof, Eddie Irvine and Barry McGuigan.
Was it naive of us to think that the Irish government would want to support us in what is a long, exhausting and agonising struggle?
Well, the Taoiseach has shown that he's more interested in dialogue with terrorists than with victims. And his Minister for Justice has refused us the only practical help we've asked for.
What kind of message does that send out? Whatever happened to the new world order and the war against terrorism?
The Irish Labour Party spokesperson on justice, Joe Costello, describes what has happened as "an unacceptable way of treating the memory of those who died in one of the biggest tragedies of the last 30 years", and has called on Bertie Ahern and Michael McDowell to meet us and provide us with "every support available". He is trying to interest other southern politicians in our case, but that will take time.
We hope he will persuade the Taoiseach and the Justice Minister to have a change of heart but, in the meantime, we have to find immediately the money to pay for the transcript.
We know that many of you who are reading this article have helped us before, but we would be very grateful if you could help us again.
Cheques should be made out to the Omagh Victims' Legal Trust, Bank of Ireland, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
WHEN we decided to take a civil action against those we believed to be responsible for the Omagh bomb, we knew we had a long and hard road before us. But not in our worst moments did we think that the Irish government would treat us as badly as it has.
In the last few weeks, we have received two slaps in the face.
The Taoiseach, who often meets ex-IRA terrorists and last month met paramilitary representatives on the Loyalist Commission, has again said that "due to his heavy schedule of diary commitments"he's too busy to talk to us and the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, has refused us access to transcripts of the trial of Michael McKevitt.
The first snub is an insult to people who have suffered horribly from terrorism. The second is financially disastrous for us.
The bomb killed 31 people, including two not yet born, and injured hundreds more.
At the time, Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair promised that no stone would be unturned and no resources spared to bring the bombers to justice.
Yet, after almost five years, only one person has been charged in connection with that terrible atrocity.
In January 2002, in Dublin, Colm Murphy was found guilty of the comparatively minor charge of conspiring to cause the Omagh bombing and sentenced to 14 years.He is appealing.
The police on both sides of the border say they don't have enough evidence to take criminal proceedings against those they believe to be responsible.
We have taken action because the burden of proof is lighter in a civil case. We are suing the Real IRA, who claimed responsibility for the bomb, as well as five individuals � Liam Campbell, Seamus Daly, Seamus McKenna, Michael McKevitt and Colm Murphy � all of whom are in custody at present for one reason or another connected with terrorism.
Since the Real IRA are continuing to carry out bomb attacks in Ireland and Britain, you might think the authorities would give all possible help to an action designed to weaken the organisation.
You might think the Irish government would feel embarrassed that the Omagh operation was planned and organised in the south and would fall over itself to help those who are pursuing justice for their loved ones.
But no. We have been given occasional fine words and no help.
Having managed with great difficulty to raise more than �1m to finance the case, we still need to find almost as much again. As we all know from the Saville Inquiry � which is likely to cost �200m -lawyers don't come cheap.
Our lawyers are very committed, as well as brave, and have given us large discounts, but the costs of the case are huge.
Since Michael McKevitt (on legal aid) is being charged with being a member of the Real IRA and a director of terrorism, our lawyers need a full transcript of the case. It would have cost the Irish government nothing to let us have access to its transcript. Its refusal means we have to find another �40,000.
We are ordinary people to whom something extraordinary and terrible happened. Although we have been warned of the dangers of taking on the Real IRA, we have faced the risks and are determined to see the case through. All that can defeat us is shortage of money.
The public has been very supportive and so have individuals like Bob Geldof, Eddie Irvine and Barry McGuigan.
Was it naive of us to think that the Irish government would want to support us in what is a long, exhausting and agonising struggle?
Well, the Taoiseach has shown that he's more interested in dialogue with terrorists than with victims. And his Minister for Justice has refused us the only practical help we've asked for.
What kind of message does that send out? Whatever happened to the new world order and the war against terrorism?
The Irish Labour Party spokesperson on justice, Joe Costello, describes what has happened as "an unacceptable way of treating the memory of those who died in one of the biggest tragedies of the last 30 years", and has called on Bertie Ahern and Michael McDowell to meet us and provide us with "every support available". He is trying to interest other southern politicians in our case, but that will take time.
We hope he will persuade the Taoiseach and the Justice Minister to have a change of heart but, in the meantime, we have to find immediately the money to pay for the transcript.
We know that many of you who are reading this article have helped us before, but we would be very grateful if you could help us again.
Cheques should be made out to the Omagh Victims' Legal Trust, Bank of Ireland, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0895
Published Date: 17-Jul-03
Related Images
