UH/1703

Bereaved family won't get a penny in compensation

MEMBERS of families bereaved in the Omagh bomb, met with Sir Kenneth Bloomfield's Independent Review Body which inquires into the criminal injury compensation paid to the victims of violence.
Sir Kenneth did not attend the meeting as, it was reported, he had a flu. However, three members of the review body, Professor Desmond Greer, Marion Gibson and and Audrey Johnson, were present for the private meeting in the offices of Omagh District Council.
Spokesman for the Omagh Victims group, Michael Gallagher, whose 21 year old son, Aidan, was killed in the Market Street bomb said that some eight members of the group told the body of their experiences.
He was, however, dismayed that the review will not be retrospective and any recommendations for changes in legislation will only be effective from the time when that legislation becomes law.
Under the present system, Mr Gallagher is not entitled to a single penny in compensation as his son was over 18 and with no dependants at the time of his death.
Others, who lost children, wives and husbands will be entitled to a maximum of £7,500, however, in many cases the sum could be well short of that. The relatives of the victims of the Market Street bomb told the commission that the entire process of applying for compensation (within 28 days) was harrowing for the families as they were expected to go to solicitors and, essentially, to put a value on their loved ones, even though they were going through the worst trauma of their lives.
Lawrence Rush stormed out of the meeting accusing members of the commission of using Omagh families as guinea pigs. He commented; "My wife reared our children to become productive and useful members of this society, she helped to raise my grand children and they [the NIO] are telling me that the value they put on her life is £7,500 or less This has been going on for thirty years."
He went on to say that many of those who were guilty of committing murders would be getting out of prison with £10,000.