JUSTICE IS OUR AIM NOT REVENGE
Justice is our aim, not revenge
Omagh families' vow as civil action begins
BY LESLEY-ANNE HENRY
lhenry@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
THE landmark legal action being brought by relatives of the Omagh bomb victims is based on "seeking justice, not revenge", the father of one of the victims said today.
Michael Gallagher was speaking to the Belfast Telegraph as the �14m case against five people they believe were behind the atrocity - in which 29 people and two unborn babies were killed - opened today at Belfast High Court.
Before the case, Mr Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aiden died in the blast, said: "We have concerns about the Irish government dragging their heels but nothing can take away from the fact that it is a magnificent achievement that we have finally got to court. We are not seeking vengeance, we are seeking justice."
Outside the High Court in Belfast today he told the bank of reporters: "This is our last chance for justice but we are hopeful and confident in our legal team."
Michael McKevitt, Seamus Daly, Seamus McKenna, Liam Campbell and Colm Murphy are being sued for physical and psychological damages as a result of the atrocity that killed 29 people and unborn twins.
Flanked by a number of families, Mr Gallagher said that the need to bring the civil action was "a sad reflection on the peace process".
He said it had been a long and difficult journey and that it was sad that justice could not have been achieved through criminal proceedings.
There was a media scrum as the families made their way into the court where the case will be heard by Mr Justice Morgan.
Mr Gallagher added: "It has been enormously difficult for all the families to deal with but we feel we have no choice. To coin a euphemism we haven't gone away you know and we won't be going anywhere."
The civil action, a legal first, will be closely monitored by victims of terrorist violence across the world and Mr Gallagher said he hopes their case would "bring hope" to others who had suffered as they had done.
Victor Barker, whose 12-year-old son James was also killed in the blast, was due to travel from England for the hearing.
He said he would like to see senior RUC officers from the time called to give evidence.
No video-link will be set up in Omagh meaning the families will make the 150-mile round trip every day.
A high-powered legal team - headed by top London solicitor Jason McCue - has been hired with senior counsel Lord Brenan QC representing the Omagh families.
Speaking ahead of the special non-jury case, Mr McCue said: "Three tonnes of boxed court evidence travelled from London to Belfast.
"Just getting here is a moral victory for the families."
The case, which will be heard by Mr Justice Morgan, is expected to last eight weeks.
Part of the court proceedings will be relocated to Dublin to allow Mr Justice Morgan to hear evidence from 24 garda officers.
Omagh families' vow as civil action begins
BY LESLEY-ANNE HENRY
lhenry@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
THE landmark legal action being brought by relatives of the Omagh bomb victims is based on "seeking justice, not revenge", the father of one of the victims said today.
Michael Gallagher was speaking to the Belfast Telegraph as the �14m case against five people they believe were behind the atrocity - in which 29 people and two unborn babies were killed - opened today at Belfast High Court.
Before the case, Mr Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aiden died in the blast, said: "We have concerns about the Irish government dragging their heels but nothing can take away from the fact that it is a magnificent achievement that we have finally got to court. We are not seeking vengeance, we are seeking justice."
Outside the High Court in Belfast today he told the bank of reporters: "This is our last chance for justice but we are hopeful and confident in our legal team."
Michael McKevitt, Seamus Daly, Seamus McKenna, Liam Campbell and Colm Murphy are being sued for physical and psychological damages as a result of the atrocity that killed 29 people and unborn twins.
Flanked by a number of families, Mr Gallagher said that the need to bring the civil action was "a sad reflection on the peace process".
He said it had been a long and difficult journey and that it was sad that justice could not have been achieved through criminal proceedings.
There was a media scrum as the families made their way into the court where the case will be heard by Mr Justice Morgan.
Mr Gallagher added: "It has been enormously difficult for all the families to deal with but we feel we have no choice. To coin a euphemism we haven't gone away you know and we won't be going anywhere."
The civil action, a legal first, will be closely monitored by victims of terrorist violence across the world and Mr Gallagher said he hopes their case would "bring hope" to others who had suffered as they had done.
Victor Barker, whose 12-year-old son James was also killed in the blast, was due to travel from England for the hearing.
He said he would like to see senior RUC officers from the time called to give evidence.
No video-link will be set up in Omagh meaning the families will make the 150-mile round trip every day.
A high-powered legal team - headed by top London solicitor Jason McCue - has been hired with senior counsel Lord Brenan QC representing the Omagh families.
Speaking ahead of the special non-jury case, Mr McCue said: "Three tonnes of boxed court evidence travelled from London to Belfast.
"Just getting here is a moral victory for the families."
The case, which will be heard by Mr Justice Morgan, is expected to last eight weeks.
Part of the court proceedings will be relocated to Dublin to allow Mr Justice Morgan to hear evidence from 24 garda officers.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/1071
Published Date: 07-Apr-08
Related Images
