CONCILLORS BACK BOMB INQUIRY CALL
Councillors back bomb inquiry call
By Michael McHugh
THE campaign for a cross-border public inquiry into the Omagh bomb has received a major boost after all political parties on the local council supported the move.
Pressure on the Government was growing today after Omagh District Council unanimously backed a motion for the first official all-island tribunal into the province's worst Troubles atrocity, which killed 29 people and unborn twins in 1998.
Victims' families were in the council offices in Omagh last night to watch the debate, which followed a motion from DUP councillor, Tom Buchanan, and welcomed the outcome.
Mr Buchanan told the meeting that the Omagh bomb had made a huge impression on the town and that victims' relatives had suffered badly.
"I commend them for their determination, given that this was an atrocity which swept across all communities in Omagh and mindful of many others who have lost their lives during the past number of years," he said.
"Given that this was the worst atrocity in Northern Ireland I want to propose that this council give its full support to Omagh Victims' Group as they call for a full public inquiry."
Sinn Fein's Sean Clarke was one of the first councillors to speak in favour of the motion and said he had difficult memories of the Real IRA blast.
"I was in Omagh that day," he said.
"Our party has supported calls for other groups and we will support this as well."
His party colleague, Declan McAleer, said he backed the call but added that any tribunal needed to be transparent and independent. He warned that the inquiry should not be obstructed by the new Inquiries Act, which has raised concern about the Government's influence.
Relatives looked satisfied as they left the chamber and Omagh Victims' Self Help Group chairman, Michael Gallagher, said it was now up to the Government to act.
"I think it is a very good start for the campaign. We would like to thank Mr Buchanan for moving the motion and all councillors for supporting it, and we hope we can have a fully transparent inquiry.
"We are calling for a cross-border public inquiry because this was a joint cross-border incident and there are two investigation teams," he said. We would hope that the British and Irish governments cooperate in allowing the families to have this public inquiry."
Prominent church leaders, the SDLP and DUP already support the move which would explore the circumstances behind atrocity and the police's subsequent investigation.
By Michael McHugh
THE campaign for a cross-border public inquiry into the Omagh bomb has received a major boost after all political parties on the local council supported the move.
Pressure on the Government was growing today after Omagh District Council unanimously backed a motion for the first official all-island tribunal into the province's worst Troubles atrocity, which killed 29 people and unborn twins in 1998.
Victims' families were in the council offices in Omagh last night to watch the debate, which followed a motion from DUP councillor, Tom Buchanan, and welcomed the outcome.
Mr Buchanan told the meeting that the Omagh bomb had made a huge impression on the town and that victims' relatives had suffered badly.
"I commend them for their determination, given that this was an atrocity which swept across all communities in Omagh and mindful of many others who have lost their lives during the past number of years," he said.
"Given that this was the worst atrocity in Northern Ireland I want to propose that this council give its full support to Omagh Victims' Group as they call for a full public inquiry."
Sinn Fein's Sean Clarke was one of the first councillors to speak in favour of the motion and said he had difficult memories of the Real IRA blast.
"I was in Omagh that day," he said.
"Our party has supported calls for other groups and we will support this as well."
His party colleague, Declan McAleer, said he backed the call but added that any tribunal needed to be transparent and independent. He warned that the inquiry should not be obstructed by the new Inquiries Act, which has raised concern about the Government's influence.
Relatives looked satisfied as they left the chamber and Omagh Victims' Self Help Group chairman, Michael Gallagher, said it was now up to the Government to act.
"I think it is a very good start for the campaign. We would like to thank Mr Buchanan for moving the motion and all councillors for supporting it, and we hope we can have a fully transparent inquiry.
"We are calling for a cross-border public inquiry because this was a joint cross-border incident and there are two investigation teams," he said. We would hope that the British and Irish governments cooperate in allowing the families to have this public inquiry."
Prominent church leaders, the SDLP and DUP already support the move which would explore the circumstances behind atrocity and the police's subsequent investigation.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0967
Published Date: 06-Jul-05
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.