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GELDOF BACKS OMAGH

GELDOF BACKS OMAGH
By ZOE WATSON

Singer joins fight to catch killers
IRISH rocker Bob Geldof will today back the Omagh families' bid to catch the Real IRA bombers.
The Live Aid founder is expected to meet relatives of those killed in the atrocity at a press conference in London.
A host of celebrities and high-profile politicians including First Minister David Trimble and former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson will back the families' drive to meet the £1.5million shortfall to fund their civil case.
Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aiden was killed in the 1998 blast, welcomed Geldof s support.
He said: "It took a long time and plenty of patience to get all of these celebrities on board.
"Bob Geldof was one of our first choices. After the bomb he said some very sympathetic things and hit out at the bombers.
"He is also someone well connected in the music world and has taken part in a lot of charity work over the years.
"He was hard to get hold of but eventually we did and he decided to come on board at the 11th hour."
Mr Gallagher will travel to the Irish Club in London to urge members of the business and entertainment communities to back the court action.
Only one person has been convicted in connection with the bombing.
Colm Murphy was sentenced in January to 14 years in prison for conspiracy to cause an explosion.
But the families of victims want the bombers and everyone involved to be brought to justice.
Last month Victor Baker, whose son James, 12, was killed said there were concerns among the relatives that people didn't want to donate to a "Northern Ireland issue".
Since the campaign began 18 months ago it has only raised £500,000, £1.5million short of what is needed to bring the civil case in August.


Further Information

Publisher: THE MIRROR

Ref: TM/155

Published Date: 20-Feb-02

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