OMAGH FAMILIES TO MEET BOARD
Omagh families to meet board
By Ian Graham PA
HE Policing Board is to meet the Omagh families to discuss plans for an independent external review of police investigations into the bombing.
The meeting was requested by Michael Gallagher, pictured, whose son was one of the victims.
Twenty-nine people, including a woman pregnant with twins, were killed in the 1998 Real IRA attack.
The decision to have talks with the families was made when members of the board's corporate policy planning and performance committee held a meeting yesterday to consider how to move towards an external review.
"In their discussions board members were very mindful of the views of all those who have suffered and continue to suffer as a result of the Omagh bombing atrocity; and agreed that before taking any further action in respect of agreeing terms of reference for the review, a meeting with the Omagh families should be arranged," Professor Sir Desmond Rea, board chairman, said.
Board member, SDLP MLA Delores Kelly, took Mr Gallagher's request to the meeting after he contacted her.
"Given the dramatic closure of the Omagh bomb trial last month, this is an important opportunity for the board to listen to the families and to put forward its thinking on an external review and the possibility of further prosecutions," she said.
Ms Kelly said it was important to have the views of the Omagh families at the centre of the process and she was pleased the committee backed her request.
Mr Gallagher was "delighted" the meeting would go ahead.
"This is good news, I feel it is always good news when the people directly affected are put in the picture," he said.
By Ian Graham PA
HE Policing Board is to meet the Omagh families to discuss plans for an independent external review of police investigations into the bombing.
The meeting was requested by Michael Gallagher, pictured, whose son was one of the victims.
Twenty-nine people, including a woman pregnant with twins, were killed in the 1998 Real IRA attack.
The decision to have talks with the families was made when members of the board's corporate policy planning and performance committee held a meeting yesterday to consider how to move towards an external review.
"In their discussions board members were very mindful of the views of all those who have suffered and continue to suffer as a result of the Omagh bombing atrocity; and agreed that before taking any further action in respect of agreeing terms of reference for the review, a meeting with the Omagh families should be arranged," Professor Sir Desmond Rea, board chairman, said.
Board member, SDLP MLA Delores Kelly, took Mr Gallagher's request to the meeting after he contacted her.
"Given the dramatic closure of the Omagh bomb trial last month, this is an important opportunity for the board to listen to the families and to put forward its thinking on an external review and the possibility of further prosecutions," she said.
Ms Kelly said it was important to have the views of the Omagh families at the centre of the process and she was pleased the committee backed her request.
Mr Gallagher was "delighted" the meeting would go ahead.
"This is good news, I feel it is always good news when the people directly affected are put in the picture," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0890
Published Date: 17-Jan-08
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