SHADOW SECRETARY OF STATE ' MOVED' BY BOMB FAMILIES FIGHT FOR JUSTICE
Shadow Secretary of State 'moved' by bomb families fight for justice
by Claire Anthony
THE Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr David Lidington MP., included a visit to Omagh on his itinerary during a two-day visit to the Province earlier this week.
Mr Lidington, MP for Buckinghamshire, used the visit as an opportunity to meet with the families of some of the Omagh bomb victims at the Bridge Centre in the town on Tuesday morning.
The meeting was a chance for the families to give Mr Lidington an in depth account of their struggle for justice, and although he already had a knowledge of their battle in the aftermath of the atrocity, Mr Lidington said it was "moving" to hear the accounts first hand.
He said: "I knew something about the families' battle, but it has been both moving and shocking to hear first hand the accounts of people who have lost sons, husbands, sisters and daughters it's more powerful than anything you could learn by reading a book on the atrocity.
"It's wrong that there could be mass murder in Omagh, and yet no one has been convicted. I think it's a real responsibility on the Government, as well as police forces both in the UK and in the Republic of Ireland, to try and bring those responsible to justice, and I will do what is within my power to help these families get that justice," he added.
During the 45-minute discussion, Mr Lidington also talked about the possibility of a cross-border inquiry over the atrocity following the recent findings of the Morris Tribunal, which investigated Garda corruption.
Said Mr Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the blast: "It was a good meeting, and he gave us as much time as we needed to get our points across. He agreed to look into some of the issues that we raised, and to keep in contact with the group."
Mr Lidington, who arrived in Northern Ireland on Monday, also took the opportunity whilst in Omagh to speak to PSNI Superintendent, Michael Skuce, before his meeting with the families, after which he returned to London.
by Claire Anthony
THE Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr David Lidington MP., included a visit to Omagh on his itinerary during a two-day visit to the Province earlier this week.
Mr Lidington, MP for Buckinghamshire, used the visit as an opportunity to meet with the families of some of the Omagh bomb victims at the Bridge Centre in the town on Tuesday morning.
The meeting was a chance for the families to give Mr Lidington an in depth account of their struggle for justice, and although he already had a knowledge of their battle in the aftermath of the atrocity, Mr Lidington said it was "moving" to hear the accounts first hand.
He said: "I knew something about the families' battle, but it has been both moving and shocking to hear first hand the accounts of people who have lost sons, husbands, sisters and daughters it's more powerful than anything you could learn by reading a book on the atrocity.
"It's wrong that there could be mass murder in Omagh, and yet no one has been convicted. I think it's a real responsibility on the Government, as well as police forces both in the UK and in the Republic of Ireland, to try and bring those responsible to justice, and I will do what is within my power to help these families get that justice," he added.
During the 45-minute discussion, Mr Lidington also talked about the possibility of a cross-border inquiry over the atrocity following the recent findings of the Morris Tribunal, which investigated Garda corruption.
Said Mr Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the blast: "It was a good meeting, and he gave us as much time as we needed to get our points across. He agreed to look into some of the issues that we raised, and to keep in contact with the group."
Mr Lidington, who arrived in Northern Ireland on Monday, also took the opportunity whilst in Omagh to speak to PSNI Superintendent, Michael Skuce, before his meeting with the families, after which he returned to London.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1703
Published Date: 29-Jul-04
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