BEREAVED FAMILIES DEMAND MORE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC INQUIRY
Bereaved families demand more support for public inquiry
by Julie Moore
THE announcement by Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, that he and his party would back calls for a full cross-border public inquiry into the Omagh bomb atrocity, has been welcomed by families of the victims of the 1998 car bomb attack.
Speaking after Omagh District Council's commemorative service last Friday, Mr McGuinness voiced his support for an inquiry into the police investigation of the bombing which claimed the lives of 29 innocent people, and unborn twins.
In light of such an avowal, Michael Gallagher - whose 21-year-old son Aiden Gallagher was killed on August 15 1998 - has called for further support from politicians so that bereaved families can finally learn the truth of the horrific criminal act that claimed their loved ones. In the process, he adds, they might gain some kind of closure, 10 years after Omagh's darkest day.
"There is no point in talking about it, these politicians need to move this forward so we can get closure on what happened, and the sooner that happens, the better, for all of us," he said.
"I would call for all the politicians to support these calls and for an inquiry to be put on the agenda at Stormont."
Extending thanks to those who attended the Sunday commemorative service, organised by the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, Mr Gallagher added: "It makes us feel that we are part of the community, to see the support that we received on Sunday. And we were delighted that a number of victims' groups across the country came to support us as well."
Speaking after Friday's service, the Deputy First Minister said he had 'very serious concerns about how the police handled this investigation from beginning to end'.
"That is why my position is to support the calls that are made by families here for the establishment of an independent tribunal."
Reflecting on Friday's service, Mr McGuinness said he was glad to have the opportunity to show his support to the bereaved families on the 10th anniversary of the single worst attack in Northern Ireland throughout the time of the Troubles.
"It is a privilege to be here, to be among the people who suffered so grievously on August 15 1998.
"I think this has been an occasion where the people of Omagh could show the world that they have not been forgotten. They are an inspiration to all of us, the way they have dealt with this over the past 10 years.
"Omagh has made a massive contribution to the peace process and still has a massive contribution to make, by showing how they can come together, and that is something that they can be proud of.
"Society should do everything in its power to make sure nothing like this ever happens again."
Irish Premier Brian Cowen and Stormont Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson were also among the dignitaries in attendance at Friday's service.
However the Taoiseach, Mr Cowen, said he would be erring on the side of caution in relation to any future public inquiry into the Omagh bomb, adding that the ongoing civil action being pursued by some Omagh families was covering "much of that ground".
He said: "The civil action seems to be the best means by which they can find out what exactly happened on that occasion."
Mr Donaldson echoed Mr Cowen in saying that the anniversary marked an opportunity to reflect rather than debate on the best way forward for the future.
"I think today is a day for remembering those who lost their lives so tragically in Omagh and those who still bear the pain and the scars of that terrible event.
"Of course, we will examine how we will go forward, to help the families achieve the justice they so rightly deserve, and we'll look at how that might be done. But I think today is a day to look back and remember and reflect, and then to look to the future and hope that the peace that we're trying to build in Northern Ireland is not destroyed by those who sought to destroy it 10 years ago, here in Omagh."
by Julie Moore
THE announcement by Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, that he and his party would back calls for a full cross-border public inquiry into the Omagh bomb atrocity, has been welcomed by families of the victims of the 1998 car bomb attack.
Speaking after Omagh District Council's commemorative service last Friday, Mr McGuinness voiced his support for an inquiry into the police investigation of the bombing which claimed the lives of 29 innocent people, and unborn twins.
In light of such an avowal, Michael Gallagher - whose 21-year-old son Aiden Gallagher was killed on August 15 1998 - has called for further support from politicians so that bereaved families can finally learn the truth of the horrific criminal act that claimed their loved ones. In the process, he adds, they might gain some kind of closure, 10 years after Omagh's darkest day.
"There is no point in talking about it, these politicians need to move this forward so we can get closure on what happened, and the sooner that happens, the better, for all of us," he said.
"I would call for all the politicians to support these calls and for an inquiry to be put on the agenda at Stormont."
Extending thanks to those who attended the Sunday commemorative service, organised by the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, Mr Gallagher added: "It makes us feel that we are part of the community, to see the support that we received on Sunday. And we were delighted that a number of victims' groups across the country came to support us as well."
Speaking after Friday's service, the Deputy First Minister said he had 'very serious concerns about how the police handled this investigation from beginning to end'.
"That is why my position is to support the calls that are made by families here for the establishment of an independent tribunal."
Reflecting on Friday's service, Mr McGuinness said he was glad to have the opportunity to show his support to the bereaved families on the 10th anniversary of the single worst attack in Northern Ireland throughout the time of the Troubles.
"It is a privilege to be here, to be among the people who suffered so grievously on August 15 1998.
"I think this has been an occasion where the people of Omagh could show the world that they have not been forgotten. They are an inspiration to all of us, the way they have dealt with this over the past 10 years.
"Omagh has made a massive contribution to the peace process and still has a massive contribution to make, by showing how they can come together, and that is something that they can be proud of.
"Society should do everything in its power to make sure nothing like this ever happens again."
Irish Premier Brian Cowen and Stormont Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson were also among the dignitaries in attendance at Friday's service.
However the Taoiseach, Mr Cowen, said he would be erring on the side of caution in relation to any future public inquiry into the Omagh bomb, adding that the ongoing civil action being pursued by some Omagh families was covering "much of that ground".
He said: "The civil action seems to be the best means by which they can find out what exactly happened on that occasion."
Mr Donaldson echoed Mr Cowen in saying that the anniversary marked an opportunity to reflect rather than debate on the best way forward for the future.
"I think today is a day for remembering those who lost their lives so tragically in Omagh and those who still bear the pain and the scars of that terrible event.
"Of course, we will examine how we will go forward, to help the families achieve the justice they so rightly deserve, and we'll look at how that might be done. But I think today is a day to look back and remember and reflect, and then to look to the future and hope that the peace that we're trying to build in Northern Ireland is not destroyed by those who sought to destroy it 10 years ago, here in Omagh."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC10An/58
Published Date: 21-Aug-08
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