Omagh bomb questions can ‘only be fully answered with tandem public inquiries’
A
ll questions across the Omagh bomb atrocity can solely be answered by holding a public inquiry on each side of the Irish border, a lawyer representing some bereaved households has stated.
John McBurney urged the Irish Government to “reconsider” its place after a minister indicated this week that there isn’t any new proof which might warrant holding a public inquiry within the Republic of Ireland.
Twenty-nine folks, together with a lady pregnant with twins, have been killed when an enormous automotive bomb exploded within the Co Tyrone city in 1998, the worst lack of life in a single incident in Northern Ireland’s troubled previous.
It got here simply months after the historic Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.
No-one has ever been criminally convicted of the assault.
In 2021, High Court decide Mr Justice Horner beneficial the UK Government perform a brand new investigation into the Omagh bombing, and urged the Irish Government to do likewise, after discovering “plausible arguments” that there had been a “real prospect” of stopping the atrocity.
Earlier this yr, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris introduced that an impartial statutory inquiry can be carried out.
Peter Burke, Irish Minister for European Affairs and Defence, stated this week throughout an interview with the BBC that a lot of investigations, together with the Nally Report, had already been carried out in Ireland into the bombing.
He stated that the Nally Report had discovered no vital new proof which warranted the institution of a public inquiry, including “that is our position at the moment”.
Mr Burke burdened that the Irish Government would cooperate absolutely with the UK inquiry in an try to make sure there are not any unanswered questions left concerning the atrocity.
Mr McBurney, who represents some households within the Families Moving On victims’ help group, stated: “On behalf of my clients I wish to convey the sense of surprise and disappointment felt on hearing the indication by Minister Burke during the BBC interview.”
Lord Justice Horner made it fairly clear in a really detailed judgment that full investigation in each jurisdictions was crucial in an effort to absolutely take care of the matter.
He added: “With respect, it is submitted that the position outlined by Minister Burke is entirely unsatisfactory.
“The Nally Report which he referred to throughout the interview did not have the necessary powers to fully probe all matters and therefore many aspects remain to be inquired into.
“Lord Justice Horner made it quite clear in a very detailed judgment that full investigation in both jurisdictions was necessary in order to fully deal with the matter.”
Mr McBurney continued: “It is essential that the Irish Government must reflect urgently on how disrespectful and unsatisfactory it is to ignore the obvious need, in tandem with a statutory inquiry in Northern Ireland, to properly investigate by public inquiry all matters outstanding as elucidated in the judgment of Lord Justice Horner.
“The call is now for reconsideration of the negative position outlined by Minister Burke and an indication that a tandem inquiry will be launched in the Republic of Ireland.
“It is difficult to see how all aspects can be properly probed by any other arrangement.”
The Irish Government has been approached for a response.
On Tuesday, a lot of households who misplaced family members within the 1998 assault gathered and laid flowers on the spot the place the bomb exploded to mark the twenty fifth anniversary.