NO COLD FEET ON OMAGH FILM, SAYS ACTOR
No Cold Feet on Omagh film, says actor
BY JACQUELINE COURTNEY
This is a story which has to be told - Jimmy Nesbitt
A NEW film about the Omagh bomb is being planned and it will focus on the victims families' fight to have those responsible for the Real IRA atrocity convicted.
TV star Jimmy Nesbitt who recently starred in the Bloody Sunday film, Sunday is set to star in the new movie. He strongly believes the Omagh bombing is a story which has to be told.
It was the darkest day in the Troubles, the worst single atrocity in the history of the conflict. Twenty nine people and two unborn babies were slaughtered when the Real IRA planted a car bomb in Omagh on August 15, 1998. Hundreds were injured and it evoked worldwide outrage.
Nesbitt will team up with the same production team that made the controversial Bloody Sunday movie released earlier this year. Writer and director Paul Greengrass is believed to be already working on the script and is keen to work with the Coleraine born actor again.
Nesbitt has already confirmed the plans which he says are at a very early stage.
He told a Sunday newspaper that he had been talking to Paul Greengrass and he would be very interested in working with him again.
The 37-year-old said the day of the Omagh bomb will stay with him forever and if the film happens it will be true to the facts. Nothing will be altered or covered up.
"If we can, we will uncover those responsible," he said.
Nesbitt was in Devon visiting friend when the news of Omagh came through. Like everyone else, he couldn't quite take in what was happening.
"It was like watching a film; it was totally unreal," he said.
Don Mullan, who has campaigned for the families of the Bloody Sunday victims and who wrote a book about the tragedy, is also believed to be involved.
CAMPAIGNER
Star of TV hit Cold Feet, Nesbitt became a hate figure to many when he played civil rights campaigner Ivan Cooper for Bloody Sunday. He was accused of turning his back on his Protestant background and was bitterly attacked for betraying his homeland.
"The treatment I and my family received in the wake of the film was something I hadn't expected or bargained for. I know people will say that by doing a movie about Omagh It's only trying to redress the balance.
"Nothing could be further from the truth. This a story which has to be told. Bloody Sunday opened up a completely new debate and I firmly believe that the Omagh project could help put the bombers behind bars and get the families some justice."
It is also understood that Panorama reporter John Ware may also be involved. He is the man who named the Omagh bombers, including Colm Murphy who remains the only person convicted in relation to the atrocity.
Ware is a close personal friend of Paul Greengrass and was a strong supporter of tile Bloody Sunday movie.
It is thought he will give the filmmakers full access to his extensive dossier on the Omagh bomb.
The possibility of making the film arose when Paul and Nesbitt talked after making Bloody Sunday.
"We enjoyed working together and we were simply discussing a few possible future projects. In purely cinematic terms it is a great story. I think it would making a great film and I would be very keen to be involved," said Nesbitt.
It is understood preliminary discussions have already been held with victims families.
Nesbitt said that as far as he was aware they families were behind the idea.
"Anything that keeps the fight for justice alive has to be welcomed," he said.
"I feel very strongly about this. My experience with Bloody Sunday was so rewarding and I believe we can be a very positive influence for the families of the Omagh bomb."
It is understood that the roles for the new movie won't be decided until the script is finished. But it is expected that Nesbitt will play the part of victims campaigner Michael Gallagher who son Aiden died in the atrocity.
BY JACQUELINE COURTNEY
This is a story which has to be told - Jimmy Nesbitt
A NEW film about the Omagh bomb is being planned and it will focus on the victims families' fight to have those responsible for the Real IRA atrocity convicted.
TV star Jimmy Nesbitt who recently starred in the Bloody Sunday film, Sunday is set to star in the new movie. He strongly believes the Omagh bombing is a story which has to be told.
It was the darkest day in the Troubles, the worst single atrocity in the history of the conflict. Twenty nine people and two unborn babies were slaughtered when the Real IRA planted a car bomb in Omagh on August 15, 1998. Hundreds were injured and it evoked worldwide outrage.
Nesbitt will team up with the same production team that made the controversial Bloody Sunday movie released earlier this year. Writer and director Paul Greengrass is believed to be already working on the script and is keen to work with the Coleraine born actor again.
Nesbitt has already confirmed the plans which he says are at a very early stage.
He told a Sunday newspaper that he had been talking to Paul Greengrass and he would be very interested in working with him again.
The 37-year-old said the day of the Omagh bomb will stay with him forever and if the film happens it will be true to the facts. Nothing will be altered or covered up.
"If we can, we will uncover those responsible," he said.
Nesbitt was in Devon visiting friend when the news of Omagh came through. Like everyone else, he couldn't quite take in what was happening.
"It was like watching a film; it was totally unreal," he said.
Don Mullan, who has campaigned for the families of the Bloody Sunday victims and who wrote a book about the tragedy, is also believed to be involved.
CAMPAIGNER
Star of TV hit Cold Feet, Nesbitt became a hate figure to many when he played civil rights campaigner Ivan Cooper for Bloody Sunday. He was accused of turning his back on his Protestant background and was bitterly attacked for betraying his homeland.
"The treatment I and my family received in the wake of the film was something I hadn't expected or bargained for. I know people will say that by doing a movie about Omagh It's only trying to redress the balance.
"Nothing could be further from the truth. This a story which has to be told. Bloody Sunday opened up a completely new debate and I firmly believe that the Omagh project could help put the bombers behind bars and get the families some justice."
It is also understood that Panorama reporter John Ware may also be involved. He is the man who named the Omagh bombers, including Colm Murphy who remains the only person convicted in relation to the atrocity.
Ware is a close personal friend of Paul Greengrass and was a strong supporter of tile Bloody Sunday movie.
It is thought he will give the filmmakers full access to his extensive dossier on the Omagh bomb.
The possibility of making the film arose when Paul and Nesbitt talked after making Bloody Sunday.
"We enjoyed working together and we were simply discussing a few possible future projects. In purely cinematic terms it is a great story. I think it would making a great film and I would be very keen to be involved," said Nesbitt.
It is understood preliminary discussions have already been held with victims families.
Nesbitt said that as far as he was aware they families were behind the idea.
"Anything that keeps the fight for justice alive has to be welcomed," he said.
"I feel very strongly about this. My experience with Bloody Sunday was so rewarding and I believe we can be a very positive influence for the families of the Omagh bomb."
It is understood that the roles for the new movie won't be decided until the script is finished. But it is expected that Nesbitt will play the part of victims campaigner Michael Gallagher who son Aiden died in the atrocity.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0998
Published Date: 04-Apr-02
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