BOMB FAMILIES HOLD SERIES OF MEETINGS AT HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT
Bomb families hold series of meetings at Houses of Parliament
BY ALAN RODGERS
THE Omagh Support and Self Help Group which comprises families bereaved by the 1998 bomb in the town are aiming to have a joint meeting with the PSNI Chief Constable and Stormont Justice Minister.
It follows a series of meetings last Wednesday with a number of committees and others in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons in London.
This latest development comes amid ongoing calls for a Public Inquiry into the atrocity following the completion of an independent report which is understood to present new evidence supporting a fresh probe.
Michael Gallagher said they had a number of separate meetings with the Northern Ireland Select Committee, the Shadow Secretary of State, Vernon Coaker as well as other members of the Lords from here.
"The Secretary of State has granted us the opportunity to meet with Justice Minister, David Forde and PSNI Chief Constable, Matt Baggot, to personally brief them.
"At the moment we are attempting to organise that briefing prior to when they meet with the Secretary of State."
Mr Gallagher said that their visit to London was aimed at better informing those who may be in a position to influence or decide on whether a public inquiry should take place.
"We provided them with a briefing on the details contained in the Independent Report. The intention now is to give follow-up information to some members who have requested updates.
"It was a very intense schedule, but hopefully very worthwhile. It is part of the ongoing process of informing people who will be making a decision on the public inquiry.
"The next few weeks will also see meetings in Dublin and we are currently attempting to organise a meeting with the Justice Minister there, Alan Shatter.
"It is important that we appraise every-one of the facts and then they will be in a better position to make an informed decision. But we will be legally challenging any unfavourable decision by the Secretary of State."
BY ALAN RODGERS
THE Omagh Support and Self Help Group which comprises families bereaved by the 1998 bomb in the town are aiming to have a joint meeting with the PSNI Chief Constable and Stormont Justice Minister.
It follows a series of meetings last Wednesday with a number of committees and others in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons in London.
This latest development comes amid ongoing calls for a Public Inquiry into the atrocity following the completion of an independent report which is understood to present new evidence supporting a fresh probe.
Michael Gallagher said they had a number of separate meetings with the Northern Ireland Select Committee, the Shadow Secretary of State, Vernon Coaker as well as other members of the Lords from here.
"The Secretary of State has granted us the opportunity to meet with Justice Minister, David Forde and PSNI Chief Constable, Matt Baggot, to personally brief them.
"At the moment we are attempting to organise that briefing prior to when they meet with the Secretary of State."
Mr Gallagher said that their visit to London was aimed at better informing those who may be in a position to influence or decide on whether a public inquiry should take place.
"We provided them with a briefing on the details contained in the Independent Report. The intention now is to give follow-up information to some members who have requested updates.
"It was a very intense schedule, but hopefully very worthwhile. It is part of the ongoing process of informing people who will be making a decision on the public inquiry.
"The next few weeks will also see meetings in Dublin and we are currently attempting to organise a meeting with the Justice Minister there, Alan Shatter.
"It is important that we appraise every-one of the facts and then they will be in a better position to make an informed decision. But we will be legally challenging any unfavourable decision by the Secretary of State."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE HERALD
Ref: TYH/119
Published Date: 16-Jul-12
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