OMAGH BOMB INQUIRY 'NOT RULED OUT SAY RELATIVES'
Omagh bomb inquiry 'not ruled out' say relatives
PRIME Minister Tony Blair has not ruled out a public inquiry into the Omagh bombing, it was claimed last night.
Relatives of some of the 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, killed in the August 1998 Real IRA attack met Mr Blair at Downing Street yesterday.
They pressed for a cross-border public inquiry and said they had received assurances that no-one convicted with the attack would be granted an amnesty.
Proposed 'on-the-run' legislation which will allow paramilitaries and security force members to avoid jail for crimes committed prior to April 10 1998, has sparked outrage.
Speaking after yesterday's talks Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the bomb attack, said Mr Blair had been "very supportive and as helpful as he could have been".
Mr Gallagher, pictured, said: "I think there are certain undertakings that the prime minister has given this afternoon that we will hold him to and I have no doubt that he will carry them through.
"We are realistic enough to know that we would never have a public inquiry in any case until the current cases are dealt with.
"We are determined that we will get to the bottom of what happened at Omagh, however long it takes. I would like to see it in my lifetime."
One man is currently facing charges in connection with the attack, which resulted in the largest single loss of life of the Troubles.
But the trial of Sean Hoey (36) of Jonesborough, Co Armagh, is unlikely to go ahead until well into next year.
PRIME Minister Tony Blair has not ruled out a public inquiry into the Omagh bombing, it was claimed last night.
Relatives of some of the 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, killed in the August 1998 Real IRA attack met Mr Blair at Downing Street yesterday.
They pressed for a cross-border public inquiry and said they had received assurances that no-one convicted with the attack would be granted an amnesty.
Proposed 'on-the-run' legislation which will allow paramilitaries and security force members to avoid jail for crimes committed prior to April 10 1998, has sparked outrage.
Speaking after yesterday's talks Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the bomb attack, said Mr Blair had been "very supportive and as helpful as he could have been".
Mr Gallagher, pictured, said: "I think there are certain undertakings that the prime minister has given this afternoon that we will hold him to and I have no doubt that he will carry them through.
"We are realistic enough to know that we would never have a public inquiry in any case until the current cases are dealt with.
"We are determined that we will get to the bottom of what happened at Omagh, however long it takes. I would like to see it in my lifetime."
One man is currently facing charges in connection with the attack, which resulted in the largest single loss of life of the Troubles.
But the trial of Sean Hoey (36) of Jonesborough, Co Armagh, is unlikely to go ahead until well into next year.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0771
Published Date: 30-Nov-05
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