OMAGH MUM SLAMS BLAIR INVITE SNUB
Omagh mum slams Blair invite 'snub'
New legal actions launched as families gather to remember the dead
By Dan McGinn
PRIME Minister Tony Blair's officials were last night accused of snubbing the families of those killed in the Omagh bomb on the fourth anniversary of the atrocity.
Patsy Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aiden was among the 29 people killed four years ago by the Real IRA, rounded on Downing Street officials for failing to respond to an invitation for him to attend a memorial service held yesterday in the Tyrone town.
Mrs Gallagher, who sent the invite on July 27, said she was "angry" at not having received any acknowledgement from the Prime Minister's office of her letter. She said: "I am angry because I think that he can sort out a lot. We have been searching for answers and he's been spending a lot of time in America helping the people there.
"I had thought maybe he would come and help us as well."
While acknowledging Mr Blair was on holidays and had had a recent family tragedy to deal with, Mrs Gallagher nevertheless insisted: "I understand that but an acknowledgement and an explanation would have been nice, that he still knew we were here.
"They have not even acknowledged the letter.
"Time has gone on. It is four years now and we have been looking for justice and nobody seems to be of any help to us.
"This country is overcrowded with politicians but they are not willing to help us. I think Tony Blair is our last resort."
Later, a Downing Street spokesman said officials would "look into" what happened to the letter.
"The Prime Minister's thoughts are with the families on what must be a very difficult day," he said. "We will look into what happened to the letter. We make every effort to respond to all letters as quickly as possible.
"The Government is determined to see that those responsible are brought to justice."
Mrs Gallagher's criticism followed hard on confirmation that two victims' families have had writs served on Ulster Secretary John Reid and acting Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn over the failure to catch the bombers.
She told BBC Radio Ulster of her disappointment after a minute's silence for the victims of the Real IRA car bomb was held in the town during a special cross-community religious service marking the fourth anniversary.
Flowers in memory of the Omagh bomb victims were also placed at a memorial garden near the scene of the 1998 attack during the lunchtime service.
Those killed in last year's September 11al Qaida attacks in the United States were also remembered.
Among those attending the event were unionist and nationalist politicians as well as people from Buncrana in Co Donegal and from Spain where some of the victims came from.
Northern Ireland Office minister Des Browne was among those who paid their respects.
Only one man has been convicted in connection with the Omagh car bomb.
Colm Murphy was jailed last year by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin for 14 years for conspiring to cause the attack.
Last month, writs were served on behalf of the Omagh relatives by lawyers on him and four other men suspected of having played a part in the explosion.
The relatives hope to force the five men to appear in court in Belfast in a landmark civil action which is being taken in the absence of criminal prosecutions.
The detective leading efforts for the bombers to be brought to justice this week urged supporters who helped the Omagh bomb gang avoid capture to break their silence and help police put them behind bars.
Det Supt Norman Baxter also clashed with Sinn Fein after he urged the party to encourage its supporters to come forward with information which could lead to the" bombers' capture.
Sinn Fein national chairman Mitchel McLaughlin said his party had vigorously condemned the Real IRA attack but would not assist the Special Branch because it was "discredited".
New legal actions launched as families gather to remember the dead
By Dan McGinn
PRIME Minister Tony Blair's officials were last night accused of snubbing the families of those killed in the Omagh bomb on the fourth anniversary of the atrocity.
Patsy Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aiden was among the 29 people killed four years ago by the Real IRA, rounded on Downing Street officials for failing to respond to an invitation for him to attend a memorial service held yesterday in the Tyrone town.
Mrs Gallagher, who sent the invite on July 27, said she was "angry" at not having received any acknowledgement from the Prime Minister's office of her letter. She said: "I am angry because I think that he can sort out a lot. We have been searching for answers and he's been spending a lot of time in America helping the people there.
"I had thought maybe he would come and help us as well."
While acknowledging Mr Blair was on holidays and had had a recent family tragedy to deal with, Mrs Gallagher nevertheless insisted: "I understand that but an acknowledgement and an explanation would have been nice, that he still knew we were here.
"They have not even acknowledged the letter.
"Time has gone on. It is four years now and we have been looking for justice and nobody seems to be of any help to us.
"This country is overcrowded with politicians but they are not willing to help us. I think Tony Blair is our last resort."
Later, a Downing Street spokesman said officials would "look into" what happened to the letter.
"The Prime Minister's thoughts are with the families on what must be a very difficult day," he said. "We will look into what happened to the letter. We make every effort to respond to all letters as quickly as possible.
"The Government is determined to see that those responsible are brought to justice."
Mrs Gallagher's criticism followed hard on confirmation that two victims' families have had writs served on Ulster Secretary John Reid and acting Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn over the failure to catch the bombers.
She told BBC Radio Ulster of her disappointment after a minute's silence for the victims of the Real IRA car bomb was held in the town during a special cross-community religious service marking the fourth anniversary.
Flowers in memory of the Omagh bomb victims were also placed at a memorial garden near the scene of the 1998 attack during the lunchtime service.
Those killed in last year's September 11al Qaida attacks in the United States were also remembered.
Among those attending the event were unionist and nationalist politicians as well as people from Buncrana in Co Donegal and from Spain where some of the victims came from.
Northern Ireland Office minister Des Browne was among those who paid their respects.
Only one man has been convicted in connection with the Omagh car bomb.
Colm Murphy was jailed last year by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin for 14 years for conspiring to cause the attack.
Last month, writs were served on behalf of the Omagh relatives by lawyers on him and four other men suspected of having played a part in the explosion.
The relatives hope to force the five men to appear in court in Belfast in a landmark civil action which is being taken in the absence of criminal prosecutions.
The detective leading efforts for the bombers to be brought to justice this week urged supporters who helped the Omagh bomb gang avoid capture to break their silence and help police put them behind bars.
Det Supt Norman Baxter also clashed with Sinn Fein after he urged the party to encourage its supporters to come forward with information which could lead to the" bombers' capture.
Sinn Fein national chairman Mitchel McLaughlin said his party had vigorously condemned the Real IRA attack but would not assist the Special Branch because it was "discredited".
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/439
Published Date: 16-Aug-02
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