RELATIVES WELCOME CALLS FOR INQUIRY
Relatives welcome calls for inquiry
BY MARK McKELVEY
CALLS for full public inquiry into the Omagh bombing atrocity have been welcomed by bereaved families.
However, responding to words of support from senior politicians for a public inquiry into the Omagh bomb, Michael Gallagher said it is action that is needed and not "token gestures."
In an emotional opening address at yesterday's tenth anniversary remembrance service, Mr Gallagher took the opportunity to make it clear what he and other families associated with the Omagh Support and Self Help Group need to gain closure.
"It is not wreaths we need, it is justice and truth," he said,
"Over the past ten years we have taken control of our own lives. We did not allow the terrorists to dictate to us. We will continue to do what is right and a proper tribute to the dead of Omagh ten years on must be that a full cross-border public inquiry and not allow the systems to continue to fail."
Taoiseach Brian Cowen failed to commit to the public inquiry the relatives are demanding after attending Friday's memorial service in Omagh.
However, Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he backed calls for an independent tribunal to look at the crime and the police investigation into the bombing in Omagh.
Supporting this call, but criticising Sinn Fein's response to the bombing ten years ago, Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister said an inquiry into the Omagh bombing might explain why no-one has been convicted of the atrocity.
"They (Sinn Fein) deliberately refused to advise the people of Omagh and district, and elsewhere, who had information to give it to the police," he said. "They put the protection of the killers above the attainment of justice."
Speaking after the service at the new Garden of Light on Sunday, Michael welcomed this show of support and called for other politicians to also voice their support.
"Obviously I welcome those comments, but what we need is more than words. That is the only way we will be able to move this on," said Michael.
"We saw some of the senior politicians in Omagh on Friday voicing that support but we must get it on the agenda between the two governments. Other politicians need to come in and also voice their support for a cross-border public inquiry so that we can get closure."
BY MARK McKELVEY
CALLS for full public inquiry into the Omagh bombing atrocity have been welcomed by bereaved families.
However, responding to words of support from senior politicians for a public inquiry into the Omagh bomb, Michael Gallagher said it is action that is needed and not "token gestures."
In an emotional opening address at yesterday's tenth anniversary remembrance service, Mr Gallagher took the opportunity to make it clear what he and other families associated with the Omagh Support and Self Help Group need to gain closure.
"It is not wreaths we need, it is justice and truth," he said,
"Over the past ten years we have taken control of our own lives. We did not allow the terrorists to dictate to us. We will continue to do what is right and a proper tribute to the dead of Omagh ten years on must be that a full cross-border public inquiry and not allow the systems to continue to fail."
Taoiseach Brian Cowen failed to commit to the public inquiry the relatives are demanding after attending Friday's memorial service in Omagh.
However, Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he backed calls for an independent tribunal to look at the crime and the police investigation into the bombing in Omagh.
Supporting this call, but criticising Sinn Fein's response to the bombing ten years ago, Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister said an inquiry into the Omagh bombing might explain why no-one has been convicted of the atrocity.
"They (Sinn Fein) deliberately refused to advise the people of Omagh and district, and elsewhere, who had information to give it to the police," he said. "They put the protection of the killers above the attainment of justice."
Speaking after the service at the new Garden of Light on Sunday, Michael welcomed this show of support and called for other politicians to also voice their support.
"Obviously I welcome those comments, but what we need is more than words. That is the only way we will be able to move this on," said Michael.
"We saw some of the senior politicians in Omagh on Friday voicing that support but we must get it on the agenda between the two governments. Other politicians need to come in and also voice their support for a cross-border public inquiry so that we can get closure."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE HERALD
Ref: TYH10An/05
Published Date: 18-Aug-08
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