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New Omagh bombing inquiry ruled out by government New Omagh bombing inquiry ruled out by government
(6 days later)
There will be no public inquiry into the Omagh bombing by the Real IRA that killed 29 people, the Northern Ireland secretary said.There will be no public inquiry into the Omagh bombing by the Real IRA that killed 29 people, the Northern Ireland secretary said.
Theresa Villiers ruled out another investigation into the 1998 blast, prompting claims of a cover-up, by relatives of the victims.Theresa Villiers ruled out another investigation into the 1998 blast, prompting claims of a cover-up, by relatives of the victims.
The government may now face a legal challenge over its decision not to hold an inquiry, as campaigners claim British and Irish governments could have done more to prevent the bombing.The government may now face a legal challenge over its decision not to hold an inquiry, as campaigners claim British and Irish governments could have done more to prevent the bombing.
Villiers justified her decision saying there are not "sufficient grounds to justify a further review or inquiry above and beyond those that have already taken place or are ongoing".Villiers justified her decision saying there are not "sufficient grounds to justify a further review or inquiry above and beyond those that have already taken place or are ongoing".
The car bomb hit the Co Tyrone town just months after the signing of the Good Friday peace agreement.The car bomb hit the Co Tyrone town just months after the signing of the Good Friday peace agreement.
Nobody has been criminally convicted of the crime but four dissident republicans were found liable in a civil case brought by relatives of some of the victims.Nobody has been criminally convicted of the crime but four dissident republicans were found liable in a civil case brought by relatives of some of the victims.
Villiers said the decision had not been easy but yet another inquiry would not be in the public interest. Some of the victims' families have been pushing for an inquiry, while others feel it would cause further trauma.Villiers said the decision had not been easy but yet another inquiry would not be in the public interest. Some of the victims' families have been pushing for an inquiry, while others feel it would cause further trauma.
"I believe that the ongoing investigation by the office of the police ombudsman for Northern Ireland is the best way to address any outstanding issues relating to the police investigation into the Omagh attack," she said."I believe that the ongoing investigation by the office of the police ombudsman for Northern Ireland is the best way to address any outstanding issues relating to the police investigation into the Omagh attack," she said.
"The fact remains that the Real IRA carried out the bombing in Omagh on 15 August 1998, murdering 29 people and injuring many more. Responsibility is theirs alone. I sincerely hope that the ongoing police investigation will bring to justice those responsible for this brutal crime."The fact remains that the Real IRA carried out the bombing in Omagh on 15 August 1998, murdering 29 people and injuring many more. Responsibility is theirs alone. I sincerely hope that the ongoing police investigation will bring to justice those responsible for this brutal crime.
"I have met representatives of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, as have a number of my predecessors as secretary of state. I have offered to meet them again to explain my decision further if they wish.""I have met representatives of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, as have a number of my predecessors as secretary of state. I have offered to meet them again to explain my decision further if they wish."
Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aiden was killed in the attack, condemned the "trivial" reasons given by Villiers for ruling out an inquiry.Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aiden was killed in the attack, condemned the "trivial" reasons given by Villiers for ruling out an inquiry.
"Should we be denied truth and justice because other people don't want it?" he told Sky News. "The reality is that Aiden need not have died. Both the British and Irish governments failed to protect the human rights of those people." Some of the bereaved families have handed the government an independent report which they claim shows alleged intelligence failings by the authorities in the run-up to the attack."Should we be denied truth and justice because other people don't want it?" he told Sky News. "The reality is that Aiden need not have died. Both the British and Irish governments failed to protect the human rights of those people." Some of the bereaved families have handed the government an independent report which they claim shows alleged intelligence failings by the authorities in the run-up to the attack.
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