CRUEL TWIST IN TALE OF OMAGH DRAMA
Cruel twist in tale of Omagh drama
IF the story of the fight for justice by the families of those killed in the Omagh bombing had been fiction, you'd have to wonder about what sort of sadistic mind could come up with so many cruel twists and turns.
This week, eight long years on from that terrible day, the families finally braced themselves for the beginning of the trial of a man charged in connection with the atrocity.
And 'braced' is the right word.
It doesn't take much to imagine how harrowing that court case will be for them.
How harrowing in particular, that first day when they came face to face, for the first time with the defendant.
And then, yet another cruel twist...
The case was suddenly, dramatically halted. The counsel for the defence explained to the court that on medical advice he was unable to go ahead.
It is one of those things that no one can help.
But it goes without saying that it must have been a crushing blow to the families - men like Michael Gallagher and Stanley McCombe, whose tenacious fight for justice has been conducted with the utmost dignity.
Watching them leave the court this week you could only feel deep compassion.
In the circumstances there's not much anyone can actually do about the current delay.
But all parties concerned with this case should keep in mind the long and terrible ordeal of the victims' families.
An ordeal that has undoubtedly been added to by this week's latest, most unexpected twist.
IF the story of the fight for justice by the families of those killed in the Omagh bombing had been fiction, you'd have to wonder about what sort of sadistic mind could come up with so many cruel twists and turns.
This week, eight long years on from that terrible day, the families finally braced themselves for the beginning of the trial of a man charged in connection with the atrocity.
And 'braced' is the right word.
It doesn't take much to imagine how harrowing that court case will be for them.
How harrowing in particular, that first day when they came face to face, for the first time with the defendant.
And then, yet another cruel twist...
The case was suddenly, dramatically halted. The counsel for the defence explained to the court that on medical advice he was unable to go ahead.
It is one of those things that no one can help.
But it goes without saying that it must have been a crushing blow to the families - men like Michael Gallagher and Stanley McCombe, whose tenacious fight for justice has been conducted with the utmost dignity.
Watching them leave the court this week you could only feel deep compassion.
In the circumstances there's not much anyone can actually do about the current delay.
But all parties concerned with this case should keep in mind the long and terrible ordeal of the victims' families.
An ordeal that has undoubtedly been added to by this week's latest, most unexpected twist.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/1015
Published Date: 09-Sep-06
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