BLEAK CHRISTMAS FOR OMAGH BOMB FAMILIES
Bleak Christmas for Omagh bomb families
BY ROSETTA DONNELLY
THE announcement five days before Christmas that Omagh bomb suspect Sean Hoey was to be released made the festive season much more painful than it already was, grieving father, Michael Gallagher said this week.
He said he knew he spoke for many of the families who were daunted at the prospect of facing the supposed festive season with such bad news.
The chairman of the Omagh Self Help Group said he had contacted Victim Support to the sensitivity of breaking such a verdict at the time they did, but he is still waiting for word back from the organisation.
Speaking yesterday afternoon, Mr Gallagher said the acquittal of Sean Hoey was a disgrace and that he should have been convicted on some charge. "How can someone face 56 charges and walk out of the court a free man?"
He said he was shocked to see the case fall apart and even though he had voiced concerns about the prosecution case, he was still horrified to see Sean Hoey acquitted.
"The Omagh families have been failed by the criminal justice system and the only way ahead for us is a public enquiry and I hope politicians come in behind us and support us in the fight in the New Year.
"The ramifications of his acquittal are widespread and we don't know how it is going to affect our search for justice for our loved ones.
"We will be meeting in the new year with the chief constable and the Secretary of State to find answers," Mr Gallagher added.
Four other cases involving alleged dissident Republican activity are in doubt following the scathing criticism of the forensic testing used by police in the Hoey trial.
The prosecution relied heavily on Low Copy Number (LCN) profiling . However following its criticism by the Justice Weir in the Sean Hoey trial the use has been suspended.
BY ROSETTA DONNELLY
THE announcement five days before Christmas that Omagh bomb suspect Sean Hoey was to be released made the festive season much more painful than it already was, grieving father, Michael Gallagher said this week.
He said he knew he spoke for many of the families who were daunted at the prospect of facing the supposed festive season with such bad news.
The chairman of the Omagh Self Help Group said he had contacted Victim Support to the sensitivity of breaking such a verdict at the time they did, but he is still waiting for word back from the organisation.
Speaking yesterday afternoon, Mr Gallagher said the acquittal of Sean Hoey was a disgrace and that he should have been convicted on some charge. "How can someone face 56 charges and walk out of the court a free man?"
He said he was shocked to see the case fall apart and even though he had voiced concerns about the prosecution case, he was still horrified to see Sean Hoey acquitted.
"The Omagh families have been failed by the criminal justice system and the only way ahead for us is a public enquiry and I hope politicians come in behind us and support us in the fight in the New Year.
"The ramifications of his acquittal are widespread and we don't know how it is going to affect our search for justice for our loved ones.
"We will be meeting in the new year with the chief constable and the Secretary of State to find answers," Mr Gallagher added.
Four other cases involving alleged dissident Republican activity are in doubt following the scathing criticism of the forensic testing used by police in the Hoey trial.
The prosecution relied heavily on Low Copy Number (LCN) profiling . However following its criticism by the Justice Weir in the Sean Hoey trial the use has been suspended.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1916
Published Date: 27-Dec-07
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