OMAGH FAMILIES RENEW CALL FOR INQUIRY
Omagh needs 'Bloody Sunday'closure
BY ALAN RODGERS
a.rodgers@ulsterherald.com
THE families of those bereaved by the Omagh bomb have written to the British Prime Minister seeking talks about a possible public inquiry into the atrocity - in a bid to achieve a similar type of closure afforded to the Bloody Sunday families on Tuesday.
Both David Cameron and his Northern Ireland Secretary, Owen Paterson are being urged to grant a probe into the peacetime killing of 29 people and unborn twins 12 years ago.
This latest development comes in the week that the Saville Inquiry into Bloody Sunday was finally published. Among the issues which would be raised are allegations that security force agents participated in the planning and execution of the bomb and that their handlers were aware of its intended target.
Speaking to the Ulster Herald yesterday (Wednesday), Michael Gallagher of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group strongly maintains that an Omagh inquiry could have the same impact on the families as the Saville Report.
"For the past ten years we have conducted a determined campaign for the truth into what happened in Omagh," he said.
"Just like the people of Derry, we need public closure here. Such an outcome would finally bring the curtain down on the past 12 years and at least provide us with the truth.
"What sets Omagh apart is that it happened in peacetime, three months following the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. There is an acknowledgement, particularly after Saville, that the victims here should not be denied the true knowledge of what actually occurred."
Just last week, the newly appointed Justice Minister, David Forde appeared to indicate a level of support for a public inquiry when he told the Omagh families that he supported their campaign for 'truth and justice.'
Concerns about the possible cost of an inquiry are also being addressed, with the families believing that full-co-operation between the Irish and British Governments would keep costs to a minimum.
"Ultimately the families of the Bloody Sunday victims got a result which they appear to be absolutely delighted with. This is something that should be set against the costs involved," added Mr Gallagher.
"We now cannot see any reason why the two governments cannot move forward on setting up an inquiry which would address the very real questions that need to be answered.
"Earlier this year Gordon Brown assured us that the matter would be addressed once the Saville Report was completed. It is as a result of this that we have written to David Cameron and the Secretary of State asking for the meeting.
"Obviously at the moment it is important that the families of those victims of Bloody Sunday are given the space to digest this report.
"But I have no doubt that we can make a very strong case as to why there should be a similar public examination into the circumstances surrounding the Omagh bomb. Every government agency in the Republic and in the UK, as well as the FBI have been involved. We had an inquiry in the Republic in relation to Garda intelligence which failed to question the most important person involved. There were also very very serious concerns raised by the Northern Ireland Select Committee report of earlier this year."
BY ALAN RODGERS
a.rodgers@ulsterherald.com
THE families of those bereaved by the Omagh bomb have written to the British Prime Minister seeking talks about a possible public inquiry into the atrocity - in a bid to achieve a similar type of closure afforded to the Bloody Sunday families on Tuesday.
Both David Cameron and his Northern Ireland Secretary, Owen Paterson are being urged to grant a probe into the peacetime killing of 29 people and unborn twins 12 years ago.
This latest development comes in the week that the Saville Inquiry into Bloody Sunday was finally published. Among the issues which would be raised are allegations that security force agents participated in the planning and execution of the bomb and that their handlers were aware of its intended target.
Speaking to the Ulster Herald yesterday (Wednesday), Michael Gallagher of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group strongly maintains that an Omagh inquiry could have the same impact on the families as the Saville Report.
"For the past ten years we have conducted a determined campaign for the truth into what happened in Omagh," he said.
"Just like the people of Derry, we need public closure here. Such an outcome would finally bring the curtain down on the past 12 years and at least provide us with the truth.
"What sets Omagh apart is that it happened in peacetime, three months following the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. There is an acknowledgement, particularly after Saville, that the victims here should not be denied the true knowledge of what actually occurred."
Just last week, the newly appointed Justice Minister, David Forde appeared to indicate a level of support for a public inquiry when he told the Omagh families that he supported their campaign for 'truth and justice.'
Concerns about the possible cost of an inquiry are also being addressed, with the families believing that full-co-operation between the Irish and British Governments would keep costs to a minimum.
"Ultimately the families of the Bloody Sunday victims got a result which they appear to be absolutely delighted with. This is something that should be set against the costs involved," added Mr Gallagher.
"We now cannot see any reason why the two governments cannot move forward on setting up an inquiry which would address the very real questions that need to be answered.
"Earlier this year Gordon Brown assured us that the matter would be addressed once the Saville Report was completed. It is as a result of this that we have written to David Cameron and the Secretary of State asking for the meeting.
"Obviously at the moment it is important that the families of those victims of Bloody Sunday are given the space to digest this report.
"But I have no doubt that we can make a very strong case as to why there should be a similar public examination into the circumstances surrounding the Omagh bomb. Every government agency in the Republic and in the UK, as well as the FBI have been involved. We had an inquiry in the Republic in relation to Garda intelligence which failed to question the most important person involved. There were also very very serious concerns raised by the Northern Ireland Select Committee report of earlier this year."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/2002
Published Date: 17-Jun-01
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