QUEST FOR OMAGH JUSTICE CONTINUES
Quest for Omagh justice continues
by Emma Stewart
Campaigners seeking justice for the victims of the Omagh bomb were last week heartened by the Irish Government's offer of full state protection to future witnesses, and have called for Policing Board funding for an attendant Northern Ireland protection scheme.
Despite the setback of a recent scathing courtroom indictment of police processes surrounding the 1998 atrocity, victims' families are determined to pursue the perpetrators of this devastating crime.
Following a meeting last week with the Republic's foreign affairs minister, Dermot Ahern, Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward said: "There are people out there who know who did this".
He continued: "If people can feel the courage to come forward, we will put every means at their disposal, to protect them as witnesses. We can still bring people to justice for Omagh. What I would like to see is the people responsible for the single biggest atrocity of the Troubles brought to court.
"If we can bring somebody to justice for Omagh, that would be a very good day everywhere in Ireland."
Mr Ahern agreed that the Omagh atrocity is far from forgotten: "We discussed it generally, and it is one of the issues constantly on our agenda".
He added: "We are conscious that this issue has been well ventilated in the courts.
"We now have to see how else we can assist the families."
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was killed almost a decade ago in the horrifying blast, is concerned that recently announced NI Policing Board review into the initial failings of the police investigation will do little to secure a conviction.
"That could take years and all it will do is eat up resources and clog up our efforts to bring the perpetrators before the courts. The families don't want this at all, we know what the recommendations are and they won't bring the killers to justice".
He continued: "What we need is money to be set aside to guarantee any witnesses protection for the rest of their lives if they come forward and give evidence".
Meanwhile, the multi-million pound bomb compensation case, against five men suspected of leading the terrorist organisation behind the 1998 attack, is due to get underway on April 7.
Garnering information from police on both sides of the border, senior counsel for the Omagh families, Lord Brennan, has said that the PSNI will "cooperate to the extent they feel able".
Despite concern that ongoing legal proceedings in the Republic, involving one of the men being sued by the Omagh families, Colm Murphy, may have hindered the civil action, Lord Justice Morgan last week offered assurances to the contrary.
The High Court Judge noted: "Unless it was the case that Mr Murphy's trial was likely to take place during this proposed trial I don't see any reason why it should interfere with the conduct of this litigation".
Pleased by Lord Justice Morgan's reassurance, Michael Gallagher said: "There is definitely movement - that is what the families need.
"There has been dragging of feet for far too long."
He added: "We have been in this process for seven years and we would particularly like to have this resolved before the 10th anniversary of the bombing".
by Emma Stewart
Campaigners seeking justice for the victims of the Omagh bomb were last week heartened by the Irish Government's offer of full state protection to future witnesses, and have called for Policing Board funding for an attendant Northern Ireland protection scheme.
Despite the setback of a recent scathing courtroom indictment of police processes surrounding the 1998 atrocity, victims' families are determined to pursue the perpetrators of this devastating crime.
Following a meeting last week with the Republic's foreign affairs minister, Dermot Ahern, Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward said: "There are people out there who know who did this".
He continued: "If people can feel the courage to come forward, we will put every means at their disposal, to protect them as witnesses. We can still bring people to justice for Omagh. What I would like to see is the people responsible for the single biggest atrocity of the Troubles brought to court.
"If we can bring somebody to justice for Omagh, that would be a very good day everywhere in Ireland."
Mr Ahern agreed that the Omagh atrocity is far from forgotten: "We discussed it generally, and it is one of the issues constantly on our agenda".
He added: "We are conscious that this issue has been well ventilated in the courts.
"We now have to see how else we can assist the families."
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was killed almost a decade ago in the horrifying blast, is concerned that recently announced NI Policing Board review into the initial failings of the police investigation will do little to secure a conviction.
"That could take years and all it will do is eat up resources and clog up our efforts to bring the perpetrators before the courts. The families don't want this at all, we know what the recommendations are and they won't bring the killers to justice".
He continued: "What we need is money to be set aside to guarantee any witnesses protection for the rest of their lives if they come forward and give evidence".
Meanwhile, the multi-million pound bomb compensation case, against five men suspected of leading the terrorist organisation behind the 1998 attack, is due to get underway on April 7.
Garnering information from police on both sides of the border, senior counsel for the Omagh families, Lord Brennan, has said that the PSNI will "cooperate to the extent they feel able".
Despite concern that ongoing legal proceedings in the Republic, involving one of the men being sued by the Omagh families, Colm Murphy, may have hindered the civil action, Lord Justice Morgan last week offered assurances to the contrary.
The High Court Judge noted: "Unless it was the case that Mr Murphy's trial was likely to take place during this proposed trial I don't see any reason why it should interfere with the conduct of this litigation".
Pleased by Lord Justice Morgan's reassurance, Michael Gallagher said: "There is definitely movement - that is what the families need.
"There has been dragging of feet for far too long."
He added: "We have been in this process for seven years and we would particularly like to have this resolved before the 10th anniversary of the bombing".
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1910
Published Date: 17-Jan-08
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