FAMILIES TO HAND BACK ORIGINAL COMPENSATION
Families to hand back original compensation
BY ROSETTA DONNELLY
THE money paid out to the Omagh families in compensation after the Omagh bomb will have to be paid back if they get cash payment from the civil case.
It emerged during the trial that a person cannot be paid compensation twice for the same incident, whether it be something as serious as a death or minor injuries in car accident.
Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Adrian in the bombing, said the families fully intend to pursue the four named in court for the �1.6m awarded.
He said, "The judge's ruling was a huge relief for us but it also marked the start of another battle.
"The civil case started eight years ago and there have been many highs and lows but people should know by now that we are in it for the long haul".
Mr Gallagher said the fact that they are trying to secure money from someone who will not want to give it will make it a huge struggle.
"The cross-border dimension will exacerbate the problem further but we will not give up until we succeed".
He explained that compensation cannot be paid twice for a single incident and this is why the money already paid will have to be deducted from whatever sum the families will get from the bombers.
Claire Radford's brother Alan was killed in the bomb. She said that whatever money her mother gets in damages as set out by the judge, she will have to pay back the compensation she received after he was murdered. "Apparently you cannot receive compensation for the same incident from the government," said Claire.
BY ROSETTA DONNELLY
THE money paid out to the Omagh families in compensation after the Omagh bomb will have to be paid back if they get cash payment from the civil case.
It emerged during the trial that a person cannot be paid compensation twice for the same incident, whether it be something as serious as a death or minor injuries in car accident.
Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Adrian in the bombing, said the families fully intend to pursue the four named in court for the �1.6m awarded.
He said, "The judge's ruling was a huge relief for us but it also marked the start of another battle.
"The civil case started eight years ago and there have been many highs and lows but people should know by now that we are in it for the long haul".
Mr Gallagher said the fact that they are trying to secure money from someone who will not want to give it will make it a huge struggle.
"The cross-border dimension will exacerbate the problem further but we will not give up until we succeed".
He explained that compensation cannot be paid twice for a single incident and this is why the money already paid will have to be deducted from whatever sum the families will get from the bombers.
Claire Radford's brother Alan was killed in the bomb. She said that whatever money her mother gets in damages as set out by the judge, she will have to pay back the compensation she received after he was murdered. "Apparently you cannot receive compensation for the same incident from the government," said Claire.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE HERALD
Ref: TYH/088
Published Date: 15-Jun-09
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