OMAGH FAMILIES TO MEET NEW SECRETARY OF STATE
Omagh families to meet new Secretary of State
BY ALAN RODGERS
THE first ever meeting between relatives of those killed and injured in the Omagh bomb with the new Secretary of State will take place in Stormont Castle this week amid a stepping up of efforts to secure a public inquiry into the atrocity.
The meeting is due to take place on Wednesday and will also be attended by representatives of the main political parties in the North. This latest development comes as the Omagh Support and Self Help Group launches a petition urging the British Government to grant a full cross-border and independent probe in the 1998 bomb which claimed the lives of 31 people and injured hundreds more.
Speaking to the Tyrone Herald, spokesperson for the group, Michael Gallagher said the inquiry would be the only item on the agenda with the Secretary of State, Owen Paterson.
"Recent events have proven that inquiries such as the one that we are calling for can and do be completed on time and within the budget.
"This was the case with the Billy Wright Inquiry released last week and can also be achieved with Omagh," he said.
"We will be discussing with Owen Paterson a variety of issues and concerns which the Omagh families have and urging him to support our call for an Inquiry.
"This is a new Conservative Government which was not involved in the events of 1998 or the subsequent period.
As a result, the hope would be that they will take a fresh approach and help provide closure to the families who have been affected," he added.
Calls for a public inquiry are being heightened by the opening of the petition, copies of which have been distributed to shops and other businesses in the area.
It is also available for signing online through the omaghbomb.co.uk website, and is being organised in conjunction with a Facebook campaign.
Mr Gallagher says it is important for the people of Omagh, as well as the families affected by the bomb, to support the calls for inquiry.
"The petition will be available for signing for another month and then the intention is to take it to Downing Street where we will hope to present it to the Prime Minister," he continued.
BY ALAN RODGERS
THE first ever meeting between relatives of those killed and injured in the Omagh bomb with the new Secretary of State will take place in Stormont Castle this week amid a stepping up of efforts to secure a public inquiry into the atrocity.
The meeting is due to take place on Wednesday and will also be attended by representatives of the main political parties in the North. This latest development comes as the Omagh Support and Self Help Group launches a petition urging the British Government to grant a full cross-border and independent probe in the 1998 bomb which claimed the lives of 31 people and injured hundreds more.
Speaking to the Tyrone Herald, spokesperson for the group, Michael Gallagher said the inquiry would be the only item on the agenda with the Secretary of State, Owen Paterson.
"Recent events have proven that inquiries such as the one that we are calling for can and do be completed on time and within the budget.
"This was the case with the Billy Wright Inquiry released last week and can also be achieved with Omagh," he said.
"We will be discussing with Owen Paterson a variety of issues and concerns which the Omagh families have and urging him to support our call for an Inquiry.
"This is a new Conservative Government which was not involved in the events of 1998 or the subsequent period.
As a result, the hope would be that they will take a fresh approach and help provide closure to the families who have been affected," he added.
Calls for a public inquiry are being heightened by the opening of the petition, copies of which have been distributed to shops and other businesses in the area.
It is also available for signing online through the omaghbomb.co.uk website, and is being organised in conjunction with a Facebook campaign.
Mr Gallagher says it is important for the people of Omagh, as well as the families affected by the bomb, to support the calls for inquiry.
"The petition will be available for signing for another month and then the intention is to take it to Downing Street where we will hope to present it to the Prime Minister," he continued.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE HERALD
Ref: TYH/099
Published Date: 20-Sep-10
Related Images
