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Omagh film could 'help catch killers'

A HARROWING new film of the Omagh bomb atrocity could lead to the killers being caught, victims' relatives said last night.
The families of many of the 29 murdered in the Real IRA massacre gathered in Belfast for a special screening of the film and declared it a painful but necessary retelling of the outrage.
Stanley McCombe, whose wife Ann died in the massive car bomb attack on the Tyrone town nearly six years ago, said: "It was a very powerful, brilliant film true to every fact."
Mr McCombe, who along with other relatives had worked closely with the British and Irish producers behind the project, admitted it had been hard to watch.
No one has ever been convicted of the bombing, although the families are taking a £10 million civil action against the five men they suspect of plotting and carrying out the attack.
Mr McCombe stressed: "We came through the most difficult time in our lives on August 15,1998 and it brings it all back to you, but at the end of the day this film was made so people wouldn't forget this was the most cowardly act ever performed in the troubles of Northern Ireland.
"If people can live with this after sitting down and watching it there's definitely something wrong.
"But maybe it will wrench someone's heart so they come forward with good information that will lead to prosecutions.
"If it brings justice, the pain of it has all been worth it."
The movie, entitled Omagh, examines the horrific events and aftermath of the bombing which also killed unborn twins and injured hundreds more.
Based on the unflinching first-hand research, and in consultation with the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, the drama chronicles the unresolved search for the perpetrators of the bombing and the persistent struggle of the families who are still demanding answers over the tragedy.
Jointly written by Guy Hibbert and Paul Greengrass, Omagh was directed by Pete Travis and produced by Ed Guiney along with Greengrass.
The film was jointly produced by UK-based Tiger Aspect and Irish company Hell's Kitchen International and was co-funded by Channel 4, RTE and the Irish Film Board.
It is due to be screened on RTE and Channel 4 later this month before going on general cinema release.