UH/1566

Ministers in Omagh to hand over £800,000
BY ZOE TUNNEY

Filkin says it is not setting a precedent
FAMILIES of the victims of the Omagh bomb met British ministers at the Memorial Garden yesterday (Wednesday) where it was announced the Government would pledge £800,000 to help the families bring a civil action against the suspected bombers.
Anne and Godfrey Wilson, who lost their daughter Lorraine in the bomb; Michael Gallagher whose son, Aiden was killed; Mark Breslin who lost his wife Geraldine and Stanley McCombe whose wife, Anne lost her life were among those to meet Security Minister Jane Kennedy and Lord Filkin from the Department of Constitutional Affairs.
The timing of the announcement is almost five years to the day from when the bomb exploded close to the Memorial Garden on August, 151998, killing 31 people.
The decision is an unprecedented move by the British Government, never seen before in the 30 years of the Troubles. It is unique in that the legal aid system does not afford money to civil actions and because the Government has stepped in to "adjust procedures to work with the victims' families."
Speaking at a press conference Lord Filkin from the Department for Constitutional Affairs stressed the Omagh victims case was "extraordinary circumstances" and not a precedent for other civil cases.
"This is not an open door for similar cases," he said, "This is a case of extreme terrorist action where the families took extreme action."
And he said the reasons for the British Government's decision were four-fold.
The fact the families had already raised £1.2million through private fundraising was one of the most influential factors in helping the Department reach its decision. This, coupled with the fact that the chances of bringing a successful case against the bombers is very high.
Furthermore, Lord Filkin said the work put in by the families and their solicitors to take the case as far as they have was also very unique. Filkin said he expected the money to be available in a matter of months and definitely before the end of November this year. He also confirmed this action would be treated like any other legal aid case where, if costs exceed the £800,000 estimated by the Government then funding will be extended to cover any additional legitimate legal expenses.
The families hope that if their civil action against the five bombing suspects is successful, they would be in a position to sue the men for damages. More significantly, however, is the chances that information revealed in a civil action may be useful in a criminal trial.
Security Minister, Jane Kennedy stressed there was "still a live and open criminal investigation by the police", but added "people must remember that this is one of the largest criminal investigations in the UK at the moment."
Speaking on behalf of the families, Michael Gallagher described the decision as "one of the landmarks" in his life.
"There has been a lot of landmarks on this journey," he said at the press conference, "but I think we've turned a corner today. Now we can see a light at the end of the tunnel."
"This sends a strong message to terrorists everywhere, Loyalist, Republican or from the Middle East, that not only can the governments try to take you to task but so can the families of your victims."