OMAGH FAMILIES TO MEET COALITION
Omagh families to meet coalition
By Steven McCaffery
FAMILIES bereaved in the Omagh bombing will be able to raise their calls for a public inquiry in talks with Britain's coalition government next month, it emerged yesterday.
The anniversary of the 1998 attack which claimed the lives of 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, was marked with an interdenominational service in the Co Tyrone town yesterday.
Representatives of the British and Irish governments were among those in attendance.
Prayers were read in various languages including Spanish, in memory of the two victims from that country killed in the blast.
"I was very pleased to be asked and very pleased to be able to come here today, 12 years after this appalling atrocity which for many people is still alive in their memories," Northern Ireland Office minister Hugo Swire said.
The Omagh bombing was carried out by the Real IRA and yesterday there were calls for it to end its continuing campaign.
On Saturday three children were injured when a bomb planted by dissident republicans exploded in a bin in Lurgan, Co Armagh.
Those present for the Omagh event, at a remembrance site near the scene of the attack, raised their hands in demonstration of the fact that the blood of further victims was not on the hands of ordinary people, who continued to oppose violence, the event was told.
There were also renewed calls for a full inquiry into the Omagh bombing.
"The secretary of state and I will be meeting with the families for the first time since we became the government, towards the end of September," Mr Swire said.
"And I think that will be the proper place for us to have proper talks with them."
Asked if an inquiry had yet to be ruled out, he said: "I am saying we are meeting with the families at the end of September.
"That is the proper place to have these discussions."
Mr Swire also spoke about the Lurgan bombing.
"It almost beggars belief, the events of Lurgan coming days before the 12th anniversary of Omagh," he said.
He again denied that talks were taking place between the British government and dissidents.
He said he knew no-one who believed it would be useful to hold talks with groups who had turned their backs on "democracy".
He said they should take part in the "democratic process".
"That is where they should make their case, not by violence," he said.
By Steven McCaffery
FAMILIES bereaved in the Omagh bombing will be able to raise their calls for a public inquiry in talks with Britain's coalition government next month, it emerged yesterday.
The anniversary of the 1998 attack which claimed the lives of 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, was marked with an interdenominational service in the Co Tyrone town yesterday.
Representatives of the British and Irish governments were among those in attendance.
Prayers were read in various languages including Spanish, in memory of the two victims from that country killed in the blast.
"I was very pleased to be asked and very pleased to be able to come here today, 12 years after this appalling atrocity which for many people is still alive in their memories," Northern Ireland Office minister Hugo Swire said.
The Omagh bombing was carried out by the Real IRA and yesterday there were calls for it to end its continuing campaign.
On Saturday three children were injured when a bomb planted by dissident republicans exploded in a bin in Lurgan, Co Armagh.
Those present for the Omagh event, at a remembrance site near the scene of the attack, raised their hands in demonstration of the fact that the blood of further victims was not on the hands of ordinary people, who continued to oppose violence, the event was told.
There were also renewed calls for a full inquiry into the Omagh bombing.
"The secretary of state and I will be meeting with the families for the first time since we became the government, towards the end of September," Mr Swire said.
"And I think that will be the proper place for us to have proper talks with them."
Asked if an inquiry had yet to be ruled out, he said: "I am saying we are meeting with the families at the end of September.
"That is the proper place to have these discussions."
Mr Swire also spoke about the Lurgan bombing.
"It almost beggars belief, the events of Lurgan coming days before the 12th anniversary of Omagh," he said.
He again denied that talks were taking place between the British government and dissidents.
He said he knew no-one who believed it would be useful to hold talks with groups who had turned their backs on "democracy".
He said they should take part in the "democratic process".
"That is where they should make their case, not by violence," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/1034
Published Date: 16-Aug-10
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