OMAGH ANGER AS BOMB SUSPECTS GET LEGAL AID
Omagh anger as bomb suspects get Legal Aid
FAMILIES of some of those bereaved in the Omagh bombing were said this week to be angered that two of the men facing legal action over the Omagh bombing have been granted Legal Aid.
Mr Michael Gallagher, chairman of the Omagh Self-Help Group, said he had learned that Legal Aid had been granted to two of the men who had said they were fighting the case.
Mr Gallagher said that the men had been granted Legal Aid even though they were not Northern Ireland residents.
He contrasted this with the inability of the Omagh families to get Legal Aid to pursue an action. Instead they had had to raise funds by public subscription.
"We find this difficult to understand," Mr Gallagher said. "How can they justify giving civil Legal Aid to people living outside Northern Ireland? There is something skewed here."
The Legal Aid department told the 'Tyrone Constitution' on Tuesday that it did not comment on individual cases.
Meanwhile, Mr Gallagher said it was hoped the civil action could start early next year.
FAMILIES of some of those bereaved in the Omagh bombing were said this week to be angered that two of the men facing legal action over the Omagh bombing have been granted Legal Aid.
Mr Michael Gallagher, chairman of the Omagh Self-Help Group, said he had learned that Legal Aid had been granted to two of the men who had said they were fighting the case.
Mr Gallagher said that the men had been granted Legal Aid even though they were not Northern Ireland residents.
He contrasted this with the inability of the Omagh families to get Legal Aid to pursue an action. Instead they had had to raise funds by public subscription.
"We find this difficult to understand," Mr Gallagher said. "How can they justify giving civil Legal Aid to people living outside Northern Ireland? There is something skewed here."
The Legal Aid department told the 'Tyrone Constitution' on Tuesday that it did not comment on individual cases.
Meanwhile, Mr Gallagher said it was hoped the civil action could start early next year.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1124
Published Date: 24-Oct-02
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