MIXED FEELINGS AS TV EXPOSE DIVIDES TOWN
Mixed feelings as TV expose divides town
By Pauline Reynolds
A TOWN - united in grief to mourn the slaughter of its innocents - is this weekend divided on the merits of naming individuals suspected of involvement in the Omagh atrocity. There's no question that each and every victim and relative of those killed and injured longs to see the bombers behind bars. However, there are undoubtedly mixed feelings about how this should be achieved.
And when the BBC Panorama documentary Who Bombed Omagh? was broadcast on Monday, it prompted a split response.
Some branded it trial by media, fearing it would jeopardise future legal proceedings.
Others hoped it would throw some light on the investigation and encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Michael Gallagher is chairman of the Omagh Self Help and Support group, set up after the Real IRA atrocity.
His only son Aidan died in the indiscriminate blast, which killed 28 others and unborn twin babies on a busy Saturday afternoon in August 1998.
He represents the voice of those who applauded the decision to broadcast the programme. And he hoped that anyone with information will now have the courage to come forward. "If it does jog someone's memory or conscience, the programme has done a good job," said Michael.
He also believed that no one had been put on trial; those questioned were simply being asked to account for their movements on the day of the outrage. However Lawrence Rush, who lost his wife Libby in the 500lb no-warning bomb, held a different view.
He cried on the night the documentary went out and felt the danger now was that his wife may never get justice.
"Trial by media is dangerous," he said. "An innocent person could be blamed and a guilty one be let off."
His depth of feeling was reflected in his High Court bid to have the programme gagged, which failed just hours before broadcast.
Meanwhile, some of the bereaved will be meeting next week to discuss possible civil action against those named in the documentary.
By Pauline Reynolds
A TOWN - united in grief to mourn the slaughter of its innocents - is this weekend divided on the merits of naming individuals suspected of involvement in the Omagh atrocity. There's no question that each and every victim and relative of those killed and injured longs to see the bombers behind bars. However, there are undoubtedly mixed feelings about how this should be achieved.
And when the BBC Panorama documentary Who Bombed Omagh? was broadcast on Monday, it prompted a split response.
Some branded it trial by media, fearing it would jeopardise future legal proceedings.
Others hoped it would throw some light on the investigation and encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Michael Gallagher is chairman of the Omagh Self Help and Support group, set up after the Real IRA atrocity.
His only son Aidan died in the indiscriminate blast, which killed 28 others and unborn twin babies on a busy Saturday afternoon in August 1998.
He represents the voice of those who applauded the decision to broadcast the programme. And he hoped that anyone with information will now have the courage to come forward. "If it does jog someone's memory or conscience, the programme has done a good job," said Michael.
He also believed that no one had been put on trial; those questioned were simply being asked to account for their movements on the day of the outrage. However Lawrence Rush, who lost his wife Libby in the 500lb no-warning bomb, held a different view.
He cried on the night the documentary went out and felt the danger now was that his wife may never get justice.
"Trial by media is dangerous," he said. "An innocent person could be blamed and a guilty one be let off."
His depth of feeling was reflected in his High Court bid to have the programme gagged, which failed just hours before broadcast.
Meanwhile, some of the bereaved will be meeting next week to discuss possible civil action against those named in the documentary.
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/106
Published Date: 15-Oct-00
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