OMAGH REMEMBERS BOMBING ATROCITY
Relatives continue battle for justice
By Ben Lowry
THE death toll of 29 people from the massive car bomb that exploded in the Co Tyrone market town of Omagh made it the worst single atrocity of the Troubles.
More than 200 people were injured in the attack, which happened five years ago today at around 3pm.
Saturday afternoon shoppers were sent scurrying towards a bomb after police received an inaccurate warning that there was a device outside the courthouse.
In fact, the Vauxhall Astra laden with 600lb of Semtex and home-made fertiliser detonated on a busy section of Market Street.
During the recent trial in Dublin of Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt, the Special Criminal Court heard that the bombers had been unable to leave the car outside the courthouse as planned because there was no parking there.
McKevitt allegedly said that the Real IRA acquired the car and built the bomb but CIRA picked the target and delivered it.
The CIRA has recently rejected this claim.
Such quibbling between the dissident republican terror groups is of little consequence to the relatives of those who were killed or injured.
One witness from the day recalled: "There were people, or actually pieces of people, bodies being washed in. They were just basically piling up at the corner where the gully was".
Kevin Skelton's wife Philomena died shopping in premises next door to the shop where he stood.
"We were only three feet apart, with just a shop dividing us, yet she was killed and I came out of it with hardly a scratch," he said. "I find that very difficult to accept."
The carnage sent shock-waves throughout the British Isles, particularly as it came months after the Good Friday Agreement.
Although the Real IRA briefly declared a ceasefire in the aftermath of the attack, there is little indication of even a shred of remorse on the part of the suspected bombers.
Most of them have remained involved in terrorism.
Confidence in the RUC investigation into Omagh was damaged after the Police Ombudsman's report on the inquiry, which made a number of criticisms.
The garda probe has also been the subject of allegations.
A suspended sergeant, John White, has claimed that a warning that a car was being sought for a bombing shortly before Omagh wasn't passed to the RUC.
By Ben Lowry
THE death toll of 29 people from the massive car bomb that exploded in the Co Tyrone market town of Omagh made it the worst single atrocity of the Troubles.
More than 200 people were injured in the attack, which happened five years ago today at around 3pm.
Saturday afternoon shoppers were sent scurrying towards a bomb after police received an inaccurate warning that there was a device outside the courthouse.
In fact, the Vauxhall Astra laden with 600lb of Semtex and home-made fertiliser detonated on a busy section of Market Street.
During the recent trial in Dublin of Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt, the Special Criminal Court heard that the bombers had been unable to leave the car outside the courthouse as planned because there was no parking there.
McKevitt allegedly said that the Real IRA acquired the car and built the bomb but CIRA picked the target and delivered it.
The CIRA has recently rejected this claim.
Such quibbling between the dissident republican terror groups is of little consequence to the relatives of those who were killed or injured.
One witness from the day recalled: "There were people, or actually pieces of people, bodies being washed in. They were just basically piling up at the corner where the gully was".
Kevin Skelton's wife Philomena died shopping in premises next door to the shop where he stood.
"We were only three feet apart, with just a shop dividing us, yet she was killed and I came out of it with hardly a scratch," he said. "I find that very difficult to accept."
The carnage sent shock-waves throughout the British Isles, particularly as it came months after the Good Friday Agreement.
Although the Real IRA briefly declared a ceasefire in the aftermath of the attack, there is little indication of even a shred of remorse on the part of the suspected bombers.
Most of them have remained involved in terrorism.
Confidence in the RUC investigation into Omagh was damaged after the Police Ombudsman's report on the inquiry, which made a number of criticisms.
The garda probe has also been the subject of allegations.
A suspended sergeant, John White, has claimed that a warning that a car was being sought for a bombing shortly before Omagh wasn't passed to the RUC.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0905
Published Date: 15-Aug-03
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