SHADOW SECRETARY MAKES OMAGH BOMB COMMITMENTS
Shadow Secretary makes Omagh bomb commitments
BY MICHAEL DEVLIN
m.devlin@ulsterherald.com
THE Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has committed to supporting the Omagh bomb families as they push for a judicial enquiry.
Vernon Coaker, who is Labour MP for Gedling (outside Nottingham) met with members of the Omagh Support and Self Help group at their Campsie base on Tuesday.
He also visited the Garden of Remembrance and the memorial on Market Street.
Remarking that listening to the families' story was "very moving" Mr Coaker confirmed he would table Parliamentary questions to Secretary of State Owen Paterson with regard to the new independent report commissioned by the support group.
Members of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group recently commissioned an independent report carried out by London based consultants, which they say has uncovered new evidence that police on both sides of the border were involved in a live operation on the day of the 1998 attack.
This report, they say, adds weight to the argument for a full cross border judicial enquiry.
The atrocity left 29 people dead along with two unborn babies when a car bomb ripped through Market Street.
However the Shadow Secretary stopped short of committing to an inquiry, if and when his party returned to government.
What he did say - during discussions with chair of the support group Michael Gallagher and other members - was that he would meet with the author of the latest report, to discern how it might be made public.
Mr Coaker said, "For a start I could ask what the Secretary intends on doing with the report."
He added, "This must be an on-going nightmare for yourselves."
Speaking to the Ulster Herald, Michael Gallagher said he appreciates the intervention.
"We would welcome this," he remarked.
"These families want to work with the government and not against it."
Referring to the judicial enquiry he concluded, "They can't resist us forever."
BY MICHAEL DEVLIN
m.devlin@ulsterherald.com
THE Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has committed to supporting the Omagh bomb families as they push for a judicial enquiry.
Vernon Coaker, who is Labour MP for Gedling (outside Nottingham) met with members of the Omagh Support and Self Help group at their Campsie base on Tuesday.
He also visited the Garden of Remembrance and the memorial on Market Street.
Remarking that listening to the families' story was "very moving" Mr Coaker confirmed he would table Parliamentary questions to Secretary of State Owen Paterson with regard to the new independent report commissioned by the support group.
Members of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group recently commissioned an independent report carried out by London based consultants, which they say has uncovered new evidence that police on both sides of the border were involved in a live operation on the day of the 1998 attack.
This report, they say, adds weight to the argument for a full cross border judicial enquiry.
The atrocity left 29 people dead along with two unborn babies when a car bomb ripped through Market Street.
However the Shadow Secretary stopped short of committing to an inquiry, if and when his party returned to government.
What he did say - during discussions with chair of the support group Michael Gallagher and other members - was that he would meet with the author of the latest report, to discern how it might be made public.
Mr Coaker said, "For a start I could ask what the Secretary intends on doing with the report."
He added, "This must be an on-going nightmare for yourselves."
Speaking to the Ulster Herald, Michael Gallagher said he appreciates the intervention.
"We would welcome this," he remarked.
"These families want to work with the government and not against it."
Referring to the judicial enquiry he concluded, "They can't resist us forever."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/2047
Published Date: 28-Jun-12
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