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Bush backs Omagh families' fund
BY JOHN McCUSKER

US President, George W Bush has lent his backing to the Omagh families' campaign for justice.
The move comes prior to a fundraising dinner to help boost the drive to bring civil action against the bombers. The £100-a-head event, to be
held next month in the Daresbury Park Hotel near Warrington, will be attended by music guru Bob Geldof, former Secretary of State Peter Mandelson, one-time world boxing champion Barry McGuigan and First Minister David Trimble.
In a letter received by victims' group chairman Michael Gallagher, US Ambassador Richard Haass conveys President Bush's support for the Omagh families' civil action against those believed to have carried out the Market Street bombing.
Welcoming the backing, Mr Gallagher said relatives believed it was important that the drive received as much support as possible at this crucial stage in the campaign.
The letter read: "We are heartened that people in Northern Ireland are turning away from violence and instead relying on normal political and legal means to resolve issues and disputes. In that vein, we commend your decision to pursue legal civil action against those responsible for the Omagh atrocity.
"The President and I thank you for keeping us informed of your endeavours and wish you well in pursuing justice for the victims of the Omagh tragedy and their families."
Relatives of those who died in the August 1998 attack will join celebrities at the Warrington dinner on May 17. The event is being organised by the Omagh Victims' Legal Trust as part of their efforts to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds needed to sue the Real IRA.
Bob Geldof, the driving force behind the Live Aid venture to support famine-stricken Africa, added his voice to the civil action campaign earlier this year. Supporting the group's campaign for justice, he slammed 'the black evil' bombers responsible for the atrocity.
Former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson also backed the crusade to bring those responsible to justice. He has already donated £10,000, which he was paid for newspaper articles last year, to the families' fund.
TV presenter and writer Mariella Frostrup will host the dinner which is being held in the town which was bombed in 1993 resulting in the deaths of three-year-old Jonathan Ball and 12-year-old Tim Parry.
The Omagh Victims' Legal Trust have until August to raise the £1.5 million necessary to pursue a civil case against the gang behind the bombing.
Michael Gallagher added: "We hope for good support for the Warrington dinner and have already been promised cross party backing from the House of Commons and hopefully the House of Lords. This week's message of support from President Bush has come at a very welcome time in the campaign."
Tickets for next month's dinner can be obtained from the Omagh Victims' Legal Trust Dinner, 21 Palmyra Square, Warrington, WAI 1BW. Cheques should be made payable to Omagh Victims' Legal Trust Dinner.
Donations to the fund should be sent to: Omagh Victims' Legal Trust, Bank of Ireland, Campsie Road, Omagh.