BT/0986

Omagh families press PM for inquiry
Relatives meet Blair after five-year wait
By Brian Walker
LONDON EDITOR

RELATIVES of the Omagh bomb victims were meeting Tony Blair today to press for a full cross-border inquiry into the atrocity that claimed 29 lives in August 1998.
"We've been pressing for this meeting for five years," said spokesman Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was among the dead.
An earlier date for the meeting had been put off because of the General Election in May.
Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern last month ruled out a similar request until all criminal and civil proceedings are concluded. This is likely to take some time.
Sean Hoey from Jonesborough on the south Armagh border was committed for trial in September on more than 60 counts connected with the bombing.
A 34-year-old south Down man who had been held for questioning by the police since last Tuesday, was released last night without charge.
A complex legal duel is being fought out between the Omagh families and five men being sued by them in connection with the bombing. A move by the five to block the families' civil action was turned down by the Court of Appeal last week.
In September a Government award of £700,000 to help fund the families' civil case was declared unlawful by the High Court. However Mr Justice Coghlin said as the money had been spent in good faith he would not order repayment.
"The Government are finding other ways to aid us in the action," said Mr Gallagher.
He was making the case to Mr Blair that if Bloody Sunday and the suicide of Iraqi weapons expert Dr David Kelly merited inquiries, then so did the worst atrocities of the Troubles.
Among the five the families are suing is Michael McKevitt, currently serving 20 years in Portlaoise prison for running the Real IRA.
Another is Colm Murphy who is awaiting a retrial for offences connected with the bombing. He was freed on bail last January after the Court of Criminal Appeal in Dublin quashed his conviction for conspiracy offences linked to the bombing.
"We are into our eighth year with this," said Mr Gallagher. "They are always trying to frustrate us at every corner".
A total of £29m in compensation has been paid out, settling 826 out of 852 criminal injuries claims and 214 out of 220 claims for criminal damage.