CAMPAIGNERS AN INSPIRATION TO VICTIMS OF TERRORISM
Campaigners an 'inspiration' to victims of terrorism
BY NIGEL MCDONAGH
n.mcdonagh@ulsterherald.com
MONDAY'S historic judgement could pave the way for people bereaved by acts of terrorism throughout the world to successfully sue the perpetrators.
From Enniskillen to Bali, the message went out across the globe that terrorists can be successfully pursued by their victims through the courts.
Jim Dixon, one of those badly injured in the 'Poppy Day' Enniskillen Bomb, said the Omagh families' determination in pursuing their civil action against those responsible for the bomb is an 'inspiration'.
Back in 2006 a multi-million pound class action was lodged in the United States against Colonel Gaddafi and Libya over the arming of the IRA.
The action was lodged in the name of 143 families affected by IRA bombs from 1983 to 1997, including Enniskillen, Warrington, Manchester and Canary Wharf.
The Enniskillen case is being handled by the same legal team which won the Omagh case. Jason McCue, solicitor with the London-based law firm H2O is leading the action.
Mr Dixon, Chairman of the Ely Centre in Enniskillen whose membership is drawn from the families of the Enniskillen bombing, stated, "The Omagh families are an inspiration to all victims of terrorism, they have shown that with time, sacrifice and perseverance victims will control the outcome of terrorism, not the terrorist romanticists, terrorists are now being held responsible for their heinous acts, and more and more will be brought to the court room in the near future."
Victims of the 7/7 bombings in London and the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai have pledged to fight similar civil actions.
Meanwhile, the Omagh families have been hailed for their "courage and tenacity" in taking the civil case to a successful conclusion.
"There's no question that what is known now is because of their actions and there would never have been such a judgement otherwise," said former Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan, who published a damning critique of the police investigation into the bombing in 2001.
Former Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Lord Mandelson said, "Speaking personally, I could not be more delighted. It is everything the families deserve."
Locally, Ross Hussey, Omagh town UUP Councillor, paid tribute to the families. He said, "I would add my congratulations to the Omagh families who, after years of anguish, finally brought four of the murderous gang that brought terror and carnage to the streets of Omagh to justice."
Tom Buchanan, West Tyrone DUP MLA, added, "I welcome the judgement on this case and am glad that after a decade of delays, some positive news has come out of this terrible atrocity. I commend the tenacity and the focus of the families of the victims for taking this case in the first place. It is clear that because of their strength and determination in pursuing this civil action they wanted to ensure that justice was done for their families."
BY NIGEL MCDONAGH
n.mcdonagh@ulsterherald.com
MONDAY'S historic judgement could pave the way for people bereaved by acts of terrorism throughout the world to successfully sue the perpetrators.
From Enniskillen to Bali, the message went out across the globe that terrorists can be successfully pursued by their victims through the courts.
Jim Dixon, one of those badly injured in the 'Poppy Day' Enniskillen Bomb, said the Omagh families' determination in pursuing their civil action against those responsible for the bomb is an 'inspiration'.
Back in 2006 a multi-million pound class action was lodged in the United States against Colonel Gaddafi and Libya over the arming of the IRA.
The action was lodged in the name of 143 families affected by IRA bombs from 1983 to 1997, including Enniskillen, Warrington, Manchester and Canary Wharf.
The Enniskillen case is being handled by the same legal team which won the Omagh case. Jason McCue, solicitor with the London-based law firm H2O is leading the action.
Mr Dixon, Chairman of the Ely Centre in Enniskillen whose membership is drawn from the families of the Enniskillen bombing, stated, "The Omagh families are an inspiration to all victims of terrorism, they have shown that with time, sacrifice and perseverance victims will control the outcome of terrorism, not the terrorist romanticists, terrorists are now being held responsible for their heinous acts, and more and more will be brought to the court room in the near future."
Victims of the 7/7 bombings in London and the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai have pledged to fight similar civil actions.
Meanwhile, the Omagh families have been hailed for their "courage and tenacity" in taking the civil case to a successful conclusion.
"There's no question that what is known now is because of their actions and there would never have been such a judgement otherwise," said former Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan, who published a damning critique of the police investigation into the bombing in 2001.
Former Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Lord Mandelson said, "Speaking personally, I could not be more delighted. It is everything the families deserve."
Locally, Ross Hussey, Omagh town UUP Councillor, paid tribute to the families. He said, "I would add my congratulations to the Omagh families who, after years of anguish, finally brought four of the murderous gang that brought terror and carnage to the streets of Omagh to justice."
Tom Buchanan, West Tyrone DUP MLA, added, "I welcome the judgement on this case and am glad that after a decade of delays, some positive news has come out of this terrible atrocity. I commend the tenacity and the focus of the families of the victims for taking this case in the first place. It is clear that because of their strength and determination in pursuing this civil action they wanted to ensure that justice was done for their families."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1978
Published Date: 11-Jun-09
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