TENSIONS HIGH OVER OMAGH PAYOUTS
Tensions high over Omagh payouts
By RICHARD SHERRIFF
IF the Government is unhappy with the work of solicitors acting for Omagh Bomb victims, then it should do something about it, victims spokesman Michael Gallagher said yesterday.
"They're paying the fees, not me," he said.
The angry retort came as the Northern Ireland Office responded to victims and those bereaved, who have criticised delays in getting compensation payments for injuries and the loss of loved ones.
Despite pledges made in the aftermath of the bombing, in August 1998, that bureaucracy would not be allowed to obstruct the process, Mr Gallagher, chairman of the Omagh Victims Group, said senior figures had failed to live up to the sound bite.
"We had the Prime Minister here and Mo Mowlam saying all red tape would be cut, that there would be a fast-track system put in place. Now, four years on, some of those people have been given medals and have moved on and it feels as though the rule book has been taken down, dusted off and applied to us.
"If there are problems, then I feel the Government has the resources and the resolve to sort those problems out. They are paying the solicitors through the Northern Ireland Compensation Agency and they should be saying to them: 'If you are not proving up to it, then we're not going to pay you'."
That view was reinforced by Stanley McCombe, whose wife Ann was killed in the blast on Saturday, August 15,1998.
Claiming that the stress of the wait was now affecting the health of some relatives, he said delays were making attempts to move on from the tragedy impossible.
"I'm angry with [the Government], very angry. The system is so complicated. We've waited three and a half years and we still have nothing. Don't pay your rates or income tax for three and a half years and you don't get away with it and you don't get asked any questions."
In its statement, the Northern Ireland Office said it had made every effort to settle claims, particularly those of bereaved relatives which where
kept on "short review" and had been personally reviewed by the minister.
But a spokesman said the Compensation Agency needed full information regarding loss of dependency and financial loss before they could discharge the compensation.
"We have been pressing applicants' solicitors to provide this information and in all cases that are outstanding we are waiting on such information from applicants' professional representatives."
However, Alan Rountree, senior partner with Omagh firm Orr and Rountree, said the Government would find no fault with their handling of claims.
The firm represents several people involved in the blast and he said that, in every case, at least some form of provisional payment has already been made. In any other instance, he said the length of time taken was due to the complexity of the individual case.
"We have no particular cause to complain about the NIO and they certainly would have no cause to blame us for any delay," he said.
By RICHARD SHERRIFF
IF the Government is unhappy with the work of solicitors acting for Omagh Bomb victims, then it should do something about it, victims spokesman Michael Gallagher said yesterday.
"They're paying the fees, not me," he said.
The angry retort came as the Northern Ireland Office responded to victims and those bereaved, who have criticised delays in getting compensation payments for injuries and the loss of loved ones.
Despite pledges made in the aftermath of the bombing, in August 1998, that bureaucracy would not be allowed to obstruct the process, Mr Gallagher, chairman of the Omagh Victims Group, said senior figures had failed to live up to the sound bite.
"We had the Prime Minister here and Mo Mowlam saying all red tape would be cut, that there would be a fast-track system put in place. Now, four years on, some of those people have been given medals and have moved on and it feels as though the rule book has been taken down, dusted off and applied to us.
"If there are problems, then I feel the Government has the resources and the resolve to sort those problems out. They are paying the solicitors through the Northern Ireland Compensation Agency and they should be saying to them: 'If you are not proving up to it, then we're not going to pay you'."
That view was reinforced by Stanley McCombe, whose wife Ann was killed in the blast on Saturday, August 15,1998.
Claiming that the stress of the wait was now affecting the health of some relatives, he said delays were making attempts to move on from the tragedy impossible.
"I'm angry with [the Government], very angry. The system is so complicated. We've waited three and a half years and we still have nothing. Don't pay your rates or income tax for three and a half years and you don't get away with it and you don't get asked any questions."
In its statement, the Northern Ireland Office said it had made every effort to settle claims, particularly those of bereaved relatives which where
kept on "short review" and had been personally reviewed by the minister.
But a spokesman said the Compensation Agency needed full information regarding loss of dependency and financial loss before they could discharge the compensation.
"We have been pressing applicants' solicitors to provide this information and in all cases that are outstanding we are waiting on such information from applicants' professional representatives."
However, Alan Rountree, senior partner with Omagh firm Orr and Rountree, said the Government would find no fault with their handling of claims.
The firm represents several people involved in the blast and he said that, in every case, at least some form of provisional payment has already been made. In any other instance, he said the length of time taken was due to the complexity of the individual case.
"We have no particular cause to complain about the NIO and they certainly would have no cause to blame us for any delay," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/430
Published Date: 08-Apr-02
Related Images
