COMPENSATION CLAIMS FROM OMAGH BOMB VICTIMS STILL OUTSTANDING
Compensation claims from Omagh bomb victims still outstanding
BY JOHN McCUSKER
Agency staff meet with angry victims
ALMOST three years after the Omagh bombing, over 160 personal claims resulting from the atrocity have still yet to be settled.
The figure emerged following an, at times, heated discussion between the bereaved and injured and representatives of the Compensation Agency in the town last week.
The meeting was called following concerns at the delay in payment to those who suffered as a result of the Market Street tragedy in August 1998.
In the wake of the bombing, a 'fast-track' system was promised to deal with around 700 claims. But those aggrieved at the settlement delays have accused the Agency of reneging on pledges.
Sixteen representatives from the bereaved and injured took part in over two hours of discussion with Compensation Agency representatives in the Silverbirch Hotel last Thursday night.
Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son was among those killed, said the people affected wanted the matter settled in order to move on with their lives.
He said: "There is a lot of anger at how the Government has treated the victims of Omagh. We had initially been told that we would be listened to and dealt with quickly.
"But almost three years later, and with around 160 cases still open, we feel we have been treated very shabbily by the Compensation Agency,
"The Agency states that the problem lies with restrictions within the system. But our concerns centre on the length of time it has taken the Agency to make an offer to those affected."
Many of the original 700 claims concerned minor injuries and property interests. These were dealt with relatively speedily.
However, the more complicated cases are required to be handled by the Agency's single forensic accountant. Mr Gallagher said: "We think the Government has really got to look at the victims' issue and deal with it properly.
"Recently, victims of atrocities in Spain were each awarded somewhere in the region of �100,000, not as compensation, but as a gift for their pain and suffering.
"During last week's meeting we also pointed out that 'damages' would be a more appropriate word than 'compensation.' But the British Government resists that move as there are another 3,6000 victims of violence here queueing up behind us Mr Gallager added.
The group now plans to raise the compensation issue when it meets later this month with Secretary of State John Reid and also during a planned meeting with the Executive's Victims' Ministers, Dermott Nesbitt and Denis Haughey
BY JOHN McCUSKER
Agency staff meet with angry victims
ALMOST three years after the Omagh bombing, over 160 personal claims resulting from the atrocity have still yet to be settled.
The figure emerged following an, at times, heated discussion between the bereaved and injured and representatives of the Compensation Agency in the town last week.
The meeting was called following concerns at the delay in payment to those who suffered as a result of the Market Street tragedy in August 1998.
In the wake of the bombing, a 'fast-track' system was promised to deal with around 700 claims. But those aggrieved at the settlement delays have accused the Agency of reneging on pledges.
Sixteen representatives from the bereaved and injured took part in over two hours of discussion with Compensation Agency representatives in the Silverbirch Hotel last Thursday night.
Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son was among those killed, said the people affected wanted the matter settled in order to move on with their lives.
He said: "There is a lot of anger at how the Government has treated the victims of Omagh. We had initially been told that we would be listened to and dealt with quickly.
"But almost three years later, and with around 160 cases still open, we feel we have been treated very shabbily by the Compensation Agency,
"The Agency states that the problem lies with restrictions within the system. But our concerns centre on the length of time it has taken the Agency to make an offer to those affected."
Many of the original 700 claims concerned minor injuries and property interests. These were dealt with relatively speedily.
However, the more complicated cases are required to be handled by the Agency's single forensic accountant. Mr Gallagher said: "We think the Government has really got to look at the victims' issue and deal with it properly.
"Recently, victims of atrocities in Spain were each awarded somewhere in the region of �100,000, not as compensation, but as a gift for their pain and suffering.
"During last week's meeting we also pointed out that 'damages' would be a more appropriate word than 'compensation.' But the British Government resists that move as there are another 3,6000 victims of violence here queueing up behind us Mr Gallager added.
The group now plans to raise the compensation issue when it meets later this month with Secretary of State John Reid and also during a planned meeting with the Executive's Victims' Ministers, Dermott Nesbitt and Denis Haughey
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0770
Published Date: 24-May-01
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