UH10An/10

Total of nine compensation payments still to be settled
BY TOMMY NETHERY
t.nethery@ulsterherald.com

TEN years on from the single worst terrorist atrocity in the history of the Troubles, the Ulster Herald has learned that some of those injured in the Omagh bomb of August 15, 1998, are still waiting for compensation payments for criminal injury.
The Compensation Agency confirmed that nine of a total of 852 claims are still to be resolved and that to date a staggering £26.3 million had been paid out to those affected by the outrage, which killed 29 people including the mother of unborn twins.
As Omagh prepares to mark the tenth anniversary, a spokesperson for the agency said, "These represent some of the most seriously injured and, therefore, the most complex of cases.
"In general, the Compensation Agency awaits completing evidence to substantiate the claims; the responsibility for this evidence lies with the applicants' legal advisors.
"To date, approximately £26.3 million has been paid by means of criminal injury compensation to victims," the Compensation Agency spokesperson said. "Of the nine cases yet to be resolved, seven have received interim payments totalling £459,000."
The current figures represent some progress from the beginning of 2007 when £22.7 million had been paid out and 16 claimants were still awaiting final settlement.