SCENES OF INTENSE EMOTION IN COURTROOM
Scenes of intense emotion in courtroom
by Peter Kelly in Belfast High Court
There were scenes of jubilation in Belfast's High Court this week as the verdicts were announced on the Omagh bomb suspects.
Families affected by Northern Ireland's worst shed tears as Mr Justice Morgan declared suspects Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly responsible for the Market Street blast which killed 31 people in August 1998. The co-accused, Seamus McKenna, was acquitted.
The detailed 90-minute judgment was read to a hushed courtroom and produced scenes of intense emotion as families gathered in a side conference room afterwards to come to terms with and celebrate the ruling.
The Tyrone families' decade-long David and Goliath-like campaign has created international legal precedent and made history worldwide.
Mr Justice Declan Morgan awarded the bomb families an unprecedented �1.6 million, in a case which began some eight years ago, with proceedings finally starting in April 2008.
Chairman of Omagh Self-Help and Support Group, Michael Gallagher, who lost his 21-year old son, Aidan, in the attack, told reporters that the families remained defiant.
"We're sending a message today that terrorists cannot win, and if you kill, victims will also come after you as well as governments. You hadn't reckoned on us" he warned. "This is a victory for people power where governments and police forces have failed us time and again."
Mr Gallagher turned to other victims' groups around the world, encouraging them on a similar path.
"Now we've set the precedent for you to go after the terrorists, as we have done," he urged them.
Godfrey Wilson, whose 15-year old daughter Lorraine died in the blast wiped away tears as he too reacted to the verdict.
"After the devastating Sean Hoey trial, we thought there was no hope for justice at all," he said. "It's been a long time coming. This has really warmed my heart." The families' legal team, led by Lord Brennan QC and Warrington solicitor, Jason McCue, described the verdict as "historic and vindicating".
Mr McCue told the Tyrone Constitution: "The families have already won by being so determined with this through thick and thin. Together they've created history. This is being watched around the world by other groups seeking similar solutions."
Stanley McCombe whose wife Ann died in the Omagh bomb sounded a cautionary note, however.
He said: "This is far from over. It has never been about the money, but instead to finally bring the murderers to justice and for all to publicly see."
He revealed that the families remain determined to pursue their remaining quest for justice.
"The only way we can get proper closure now on Omagh is by granting us a full Public Enquiry once and for all. We will not be stopping until that happens."
by Peter Kelly in Belfast High Court
There were scenes of jubilation in Belfast's High Court this week as the verdicts were announced on the Omagh bomb suspects.
Families affected by Northern Ireland's worst shed tears as Mr Justice Morgan declared suspects Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly responsible for the Market Street blast which killed 31 people in August 1998. The co-accused, Seamus McKenna, was acquitted.
The detailed 90-minute judgment was read to a hushed courtroom and produced scenes of intense emotion as families gathered in a side conference room afterwards to come to terms with and celebrate the ruling.
The Tyrone families' decade-long David and Goliath-like campaign has created international legal precedent and made history worldwide.
Mr Justice Declan Morgan awarded the bomb families an unprecedented �1.6 million, in a case which began some eight years ago, with proceedings finally starting in April 2008.
Chairman of Omagh Self-Help and Support Group, Michael Gallagher, who lost his 21-year old son, Aidan, in the attack, told reporters that the families remained defiant.
"We're sending a message today that terrorists cannot win, and if you kill, victims will also come after you as well as governments. You hadn't reckoned on us" he warned. "This is a victory for people power where governments and police forces have failed us time and again."
Mr Gallagher turned to other victims' groups around the world, encouraging them on a similar path.
"Now we've set the precedent for you to go after the terrorists, as we have done," he urged them.
Godfrey Wilson, whose 15-year old daughter Lorraine died in the blast wiped away tears as he too reacted to the verdict.
"After the devastating Sean Hoey trial, we thought there was no hope for justice at all," he said. "It's been a long time coming. This has really warmed my heart." The families' legal team, led by Lord Brennan QC and Warrington solicitor, Jason McCue, described the verdict as "historic and vindicating".
Mr McCue told the Tyrone Constitution: "The families have already won by being so determined with this through thick and thin. Together they've created history. This is being watched around the world by other groups seeking similar solutions."
Stanley McCombe whose wife Ann died in the Omagh bomb sounded a cautionary note, however.
He said: "This is far from over. It has never been about the money, but instead to finally bring the murderers to justice and for all to publicly see."
He revealed that the families remain determined to pursue their remaining quest for justice.
"The only way we can get proper closure now on Omagh is by granting us a full Public Enquiry once and for all. We will not be stopping until that happens."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1982
Published Date: 11-Jun-09
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