OMAGH BEREAVED TO TELL CONSERVATIVE PARTY CONFERENCE OF FIGHT FOR JUSTICE
Omagh bereaved to tell Conservative party conference of fight for justice
RELATIVES of the victims of the Omagh bomb will be taking their story to a political platform, after accepting an invitation to address the Conservative Party conference in Blackpool.
Early next month, Michael Gallagher and Victor Barker, who both lost sons in the blast will travel to Blackpool to a fringe meeting of the conference. They will tell their story in the hope that it will increase awareness and carry their message to an audience, who may not have heard it before.
The families of the victims recently received �800,000 from the Government to help fund a civil case they hope to mount against five men
suspected of involvement in the Omagh bombing, which killed 29 and unborn twins in August 1998.
According to the Conservative Party's Northern Ireland chairman, Julian Robertson, the conference will keep their case near the top of the political agenda.
"I think with recent developments in the case, the time is right for Michael and Victor to address the conference.
"We will be delighted for them to come and tell the party about their fight for justice," he said.
Michael Gallagher said it would be worthwhile for party members to hear what the victims have to say.
"We will be telling them about the struggle the families have had and our continuing efforts to secure justice.
"Hopefully it will raise awareness and carry our message to an audience who may not have heard it before.
"Quentin Davies, the Conservative spokesman for Northern Ireland, has always been supportive and accessible to us, but this will give us a chance to connect with a whole new audience by delivering our thoughts straight to them," he said.
Victor Barker added: "It will be a full and frank discussion, where we will put to them what we feel about the treatment the families have received over the last five years."
RELATIVES of the victims of the Omagh bomb will be taking their story to a political platform, after accepting an invitation to address the Conservative Party conference in Blackpool.
Early next month, Michael Gallagher and Victor Barker, who both lost sons in the blast will travel to Blackpool to a fringe meeting of the conference. They will tell their story in the hope that it will increase awareness and carry their message to an audience, who may not have heard it before.
The families of the victims recently received �800,000 from the Government to help fund a civil case they hope to mount against five men
suspected of involvement in the Omagh bombing, which killed 29 and unborn twins in August 1998.
According to the Conservative Party's Northern Ireland chairman, Julian Robertson, the conference will keep their case near the top of the political agenda.
"I think with recent developments in the case, the time is right for Michael and Victor to address the conference.
"We will be delighted for them to come and tell the party about their fight for justice," he said.
Michael Gallagher said it would be worthwhile for party members to hear what the victims have to say.
"We will be telling them about the struggle the families have had and our continuing efforts to secure justice.
"Hopefully it will raise awareness and carry our message to an audience who may not have heard it before.
"Quentin Davies, the Conservative spokesman for Northern Ireland, has always been supportive and accessible to us, but this will give us a chance to connect with a whole new audience by delivering our thoughts straight to them," he said.
Victor Barker added: "It will be a full and frank discussion, where we will put to them what we feel about the treatment the families have received over the last five years."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1671
Published Date: 25-Sep-03
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