TC/2015

Omagh bomb relatives vow to leave 'no stone unturned' in pursuit of justice
by Karen Mullan

THE families and relatives of those killed in the 1998 Omagh bombing have vowed to continue their fight for justice leaving 'no stone unturned', following the latest ruling in the landmark compensation case again four men held liable for the atrocity.
On Thursday of last week, loved ones of the 29 people killed, which included a woman pregnant with twins, gathered at the Court of Appeal in Belfast, where judgment was handed down in respect of the appeal by the defendants against the judgment of Mr Justice Morgan on June 8, 2009.
The 2009 ruling found four men liable, namely, Real IRA leader, Michael McKevitt, and dissident republicans, Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly, awarding 12 relatives a total of £1.6m in damages.
However, lawyers for the families had appealed against the compensation awarded, stating that it should have been more due to the scale of the outrage.
In the Court of Appeal on Thursday last, the relatives were told that the £1.6m figure awarded would not be increased.
However, the appeal court also dismissed the appeals by Michael McKevitt and Liam Campbell, upholding the 2009 ruling in which they were held liable for the bombing. The families will now begin enforcement of their damages award against them.
The ruling also saw Lord Justice Malachy Higgins directing a retrial of the claims against Colm Murphy and will hear arguments in respect of a retrial of the claims against Seamus Daly.
Speaking after the ruling, Michael Gallagher, of Omagh Self Help and Support Group, whose son, Aiden, died in the atrocity, said that while the families were pleased that the Court of Appeal upheld the ruling on McKevitt and Campbell, they were also 'disappointed' over the ruling of Murphy and Daly.
Stating that their 'fight for justice' must now continue if they are to find 'closure on the tragedy that befell their loved ones', Mr Gallagher, said: "The claimant families vowed that they would pursue justice. Their willpower and determination is yet again being tested by this latest court decision but, as with every hurdle that has been presented, their grit and dignity has always seen them overcome it.
"In this respect, the families and their legal team will not be deterred and will continue to pursue justice."
Speaking on behalf of the families, he continued: "We feel technicalities are now prolonging our battle for justice. We had felt that after the victory in the trial that we could move on and put the matter to bed knowing justice had been done. Now, we need to pull what strength we have to fight on. Our loved ones deserve finality of knowing we left no stone unturned in our pursuit of justice for them.
"I sat through the trial and saw justice done. The trial judge confirmed that. I look at the judgment today and find it difficult to understand how we now face a retrial against two defendants. The law looks an ass today, but we put our faith in the courts generally and we have to respect, if not agree or understand, their decision and carry on looking for justice."
Also commenting on the ruling, Jason McCue, from the families' legal team, said his 'feelings go out to the families'.
"My feelings go out to the families and all those that suffered from that horrendous bombing who had celebrated the trial judgment and who in some small way may have been able to move forward. The ruling today will be a step back for many, we must, therefore, seek to rectify that and deal with the decision accordingly"
Matthew Jury, also of the families' legal team, added: "A trial of this importance and magnitude can expect many twists and turns along the way. We must now deal with the next legal chapter of the case. We are determined to get justice for the families."