WE WON'T WAIT 30 YEARS FOR TRUTH - FAMILIES
We won't wait 30 years for the truth - families
By Dan McGinn
RELATIVES of victims of the Omagh bombing demanded a public inquiry to discover the truth yesterday - the fifth anniversary of the atrocity.
After a short memorial service in the town, the relatives of those killed in the Real IRA attack, which claimed the lives of 31 people, including two unborn twins, read a statement thanking the emergency services for their work that day.
But they also said: "After five years of criminal investigations, we are now calling on the Dublin and London governments to give us a full cross-border public inquiry.
"To date, we have had six investigations into Omagh without conviction.
"We now want the truth about what happened on that fateful day."
The statement was read by Caroline Martin, whose sister Esther Gibson was killed in the attack.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden died in the atrocity, said the families did not want to suffer a long wait for the truth to emerge about Omagh.
He said: "Five years on, there have been six separate inquiries into Omagh and we don't want to be sitting here 30 years on, like the Monaghan and Dublin families, or like the families of Enniskillen and all the other atrocities that we have seen in the past.
"We believe that there are real questions that need to be answered given the degree of penetration that the security services had within dissident organisations.
"We believe that all of that has not been brought to bear on this investigation and that is why we have made this statement today.
"I would call on all politicians, particularly those that in the past have fought for justice for causes in the North, to come behind the Omagh families.
"We are non-political and we would ask for across-the-board support."
Around 400 people attended the memorial service and observed a minute's silence.
Among those who joined families and friends of those killed, as well as survivors, were Northern Ireland Security Minister Jane Kennedy, Irish junior minister Noel Ahern and Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid, who heads the Omagh investigation.
The service at the Omagh Memorial Garden consisted of prayers and songs, including one called The Voice Of Innocence, based on a poem by Omagh bomb victim Shaun McLaughlin.
Several wreaths were laid in the garden, including one on behalf of the people of Omagh by council chief executive Danny McSorley.
The chairman of Omagh council, Allan Rainey, also attended the service.
Relatives placed photos among the wreaths.
In a symbolic gesture, Irish dancers joined Scottish pipe band members in a procession, hand in hand, while The Voice Of Innocence was played.
Afterwards, Ms Kennedy said the focus should remain on the criminal investigation.
She also noted that the Government had pledged �800,000 to the Omagh families' civil action against five dissident republicans suspected of having planned and carried out the atrocity.
The lawsuit for �10 million damages will be heard at Belfast High Court early next year.
The Minister said: "Obviously, we will want to listen to what the families are saying but my own instinct at this moment is that the focus is upon the criminal investigation.
"You will be aware of the decision announced last week by Paul Murphy that we want to assist the civil case.
"My focus is on the criminal inquiry and on bringing to justice those people who were responsible for this atrocity."
Ms Kennedy said she was encouraged by PSNI briefings on the Omagh investigation.
She added: "I trust that that investigation will bear fruit."
Irish junior minister Noel Ahern said his government was also committed to bringing those responsible for the 1998 bomb attack to justice.
"It is a matter of regret that the perpetrators of this atrocity not been brought to justice," he said.
"Both governments have brought in legislation which has helped but, obviously, there are people out there with information.
"It is a matter of deep regret that those people have not come forward with the information which would allow the authorities on both sides of the border to put the perpetrators behind bars."
Ulster Unionist Michael McGimpsey said: "On the fifth anniversary of Omagh, we remember the victims of the worst atrocity of our conflict.
"Omagh reminds us all of the people wantonly killed and hurt over the period of our conflict and we repeat out support to the families of the victims in their civil action.
"This process is about creating a society where such atrocities never happen again. It is vital that we ensure that the next generation never suffers the same torments as this generation has."
By Dan McGinn
RELATIVES of victims of the Omagh bombing demanded a public inquiry to discover the truth yesterday - the fifth anniversary of the atrocity.
After a short memorial service in the town, the relatives of those killed in the Real IRA attack, which claimed the lives of 31 people, including two unborn twins, read a statement thanking the emergency services for their work that day.
But they also said: "After five years of criminal investigations, we are now calling on the Dublin and London governments to give us a full cross-border public inquiry.
"To date, we have had six investigations into Omagh without conviction.
"We now want the truth about what happened on that fateful day."
The statement was read by Caroline Martin, whose sister Esther Gibson was killed in the attack.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden died in the atrocity, said the families did not want to suffer a long wait for the truth to emerge about Omagh.
He said: "Five years on, there have been six separate inquiries into Omagh and we don't want to be sitting here 30 years on, like the Monaghan and Dublin families, or like the families of Enniskillen and all the other atrocities that we have seen in the past.
"We believe that there are real questions that need to be answered given the degree of penetration that the security services had within dissident organisations.
"We believe that all of that has not been brought to bear on this investigation and that is why we have made this statement today.
"I would call on all politicians, particularly those that in the past have fought for justice for causes in the North, to come behind the Omagh families.
"We are non-political and we would ask for across-the-board support."
Around 400 people attended the memorial service and observed a minute's silence.
Among those who joined families and friends of those killed, as well as survivors, were Northern Ireland Security Minister Jane Kennedy, Irish junior minister Noel Ahern and Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid, who heads the Omagh investigation.
The service at the Omagh Memorial Garden consisted of prayers and songs, including one called The Voice Of Innocence, based on a poem by Omagh bomb victim Shaun McLaughlin.
Several wreaths were laid in the garden, including one on behalf of the people of Omagh by council chief executive Danny McSorley.
The chairman of Omagh council, Allan Rainey, also attended the service.
Relatives placed photos among the wreaths.
In a symbolic gesture, Irish dancers joined Scottish pipe band members in a procession, hand in hand, while The Voice Of Innocence was played.
Afterwards, Ms Kennedy said the focus should remain on the criminal investigation.
She also noted that the Government had pledged �800,000 to the Omagh families' civil action against five dissident republicans suspected of having planned and carried out the atrocity.
The lawsuit for �10 million damages will be heard at Belfast High Court early next year.
The Minister said: "Obviously, we will want to listen to what the families are saying but my own instinct at this moment is that the focus is upon the criminal investigation.
"You will be aware of the decision announced last week by Paul Murphy that we want to assist the civil case.
"My focus is on the criminal inquiry and on bringing to justice those people who were responsible for this atrocity."
Ms Kennedy said she was encouraged by PSNI briefings on the Omagh investigation.
She added: "I trust that that investigation will bear fruit."
Irish junior minister Noel Ahern said his government was also committed to bringing those responsible for the 1998 bomb attack to justice.
"It is a matter of regret that the perpetrators of this atrocity not been brought to justice," he said.
"Both governments have brought in legislation which has helped but, obviously, there are people out there with information.
"It is a matter of deep regret that those people have not come forward with the information which would allow the authorities on both sides of the border to put the perpetrators behind bars."
Ulster Unionist Michael McGimpsey said: "On the fifth anniversary of Omagh, we remember the victims of the worst atrocity of our conflict.
"Omagh reminds us all of the people wantonly killed and hurt over the period of our conflict and we repeat out support to the families of the victims in their civil action.
"This process is about creating a society where such atrocities never happen again. It is vital that we ensure that the next generation never suffers the same torments as this generation has."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/480
Published Date: 16-Aug-03
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