Latest news with #OmaghBomb
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Omagh bombing inquiry: Survivors and families seek representation at closed hearings
Survivors and families of those killed in the Omagh bomb have asked to be represented by a special advocate in closed hearings at the public inquiry. Omagh bombing inquiry chairman Lord Turnbull is hearing arguments around various applications during dedicated hearings this week. Paul Greaney KC, counsel to the inquiry, which is examining whether the 1998 dissident republican bomb attack could have been prevented, said it will hear some sensitive security evidence in closed hearings. A total of 31 people, including unborn twins, died and hundreds were injured when a car bomb planted by the dissident republican group the Real IRA exploded in the centre of the Co Tyrone town on August 15th, 1998. READ MORE Speaking during hearings in Belfast on Monday, Mr Greaney said the inquiry's legal team recognises that survivors and the bereaved have spent 25 seeking the truth. He said some may be 'suspicious or even cynical of the UK state's willingness to engage in a way that is straightforward and wholehearted with this inquiry'. 'We acknowledge too, that the idea of evidence being heard in circumstances in which the families and survivors will be excluded is one that they will find difficult to accept, to say the least, and accordingly, we regard it as entirely understandable that some, although not all, have suggested special advocates should be appointed to represent their interests in any closed hearings, and have made applications for that to occur,' he said. Mr Greaney last month said the inquiry would not begin examining the atrocity itself until next year due to the 'pace of disclosure'. He said chapter three of the inquiry, which 'will consider the bombing itself', would commence in March of next year. The inquiry, which opened last year, was ordered by the UK government in the wake of a court judgment to examine whether the atrocity could reasonably have been prevented by British state authorities. During a four-week sitting in the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh earlier this year, the inquiry heard emotional testimony from bereaved relatives who delivered pen portraits of their loved ones, as well as from the injured and first responders. – PA
The Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Omagh bomb families call for special advocate for closed hearings at inquiry
Survivors and families of those killed in the Omagh bomb have asked to be represented by a special advocate in closed hearings at the public inquiry. Omagh Bombing Inquiry chairman Lord Turnbull is hearing arguments around applications during dedicated hearings this week. Counsel to the inquiry Paul Greaney KC said the inquiry, which is probing whether the 1998 dissident republican bomb attack could have been prevented, will hear some sensitive security evidence in closed hearings. The atrocity in the Co Tyrone town on August 15 1998 killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins. Speaking during hearings in Belfast on Monday, Mr Greaney said the inquiry's legal team recognises that survivors and the bereaved have spent 25 seeking the truth, and may be 'suspicious or even cynical of the UK state's willingness to engage in a way that is straightforward and wholehearted with this inquiry'. 'We acknowledge too, that the idea of evidence being heard in circumstances in which the families and survivors will be excluded is one that they will find difficult to accept, to say the least, and accordingly, we regard it as entirely understandable that some, although not all, have suggested special advocates should be appointed to represent their interests in any closed hearings, and have made applications for that to occur,' he said.
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Omagh Bombing Inqury: Survivors and families seek representation at closed hearings
Survivors and families of those killed in the Omagh bomb have asked to be represented by a special advocate in closed hearings at the public inquiry. Omagh bombing Inquiry chairman Lord Turnbull is hearing arguments around various applications during dedicated hearings this week. Paul Greaney KC, counsel to the inquiry, which is examining whether the 1998 dissident republican bomb attack could have been prevented, said it will hear some sensitive security evidence in closed hearings. A total of 31 people, including unborn twins, died and hundreds were injured when a car bomb planted by the dissident republican group the Real IRA exploded in the centre of the Co Tyrone town on August 15th, 1998. Speaking during hearings in Belfast on Monday, Mr Greaney said the inquiry's legal team recognises that survivors and the bereaved have spent 25 seeking the truth. He said some may be 'suspicious or even cynical of the UK state's willingness to engage in a way that is straightforward and wholehearted with this inquiry'. 'We acknowledge too, that the idea of evidence being heard in circumstances in which the families and survivors will be excluded is one that they will find difficult to accept, to say the least, and accordingly, we regard it as entirely understandable that some, although not all, have suggested special advocates should be appointed to represent their interests in any closed hearings, and have made applications for that to occur,' he said. Mr Greaney last month said the inquiry would not begin examining the atrocity itself until next year due to the 'pace of disclosure'. He said chapter three of the inquiry, which 'will consider the bombing itself', would commence in March of next year. The inquiry, which opened last year, was ordered by the UK government in the wake of a court judgment to examine whether the atrocity could reasonably have been prevented by British state authorities. During a four-week sitting in the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh earlier this year, the inquiry heard emotional testimony from bereaved relatives who delivered pen portraits of their loved ones, as well as from the injured and first responders. – PA
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Omagh bomb families call for special advocate for closed hearings at inquiry
Survivors and families of those killed in the Omagh bomb have asked to be represented by a special advocate in closed hearings at the public inquiry. Omagh Bombing Inquiry chairman Lord Turnbull is hearing arguments around applications during dedicated hearings this week. Counsel to the inquiry Paul Greaney KC said the inquiry, which is probing whether the 1998 dissident republican bomb attack could have been prevented, will hear some sensitive security evidence in closed hearings. The atrocity in the Co Tyrone town on August 15 1998 killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins. Speaking during hearings in Belfast on Monday, Mr Greaney said the inquiry's legal team recognises that survivors and the bereaved have spent 25 seeking the truth, and may be 'suspicious or even cynical of the UK state's willingness to engage in a way that is straightforward and wholehearted with this inquiry'. 'We acknowledge too, that the idea of evidence being heard in circumstances in which the families and survivors will be excluded is one that they will find difficult to accept, to say the least, and accordingly, we regard it as entirely understandable that some, although not all, have suggested special advocates should be appointed to represent their interests in any closed hearings, and have made applications for that to occur,' he said.
Sunday World
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
New IRA chiefs were ‘divided' over riot plans at Easter Rising parade in Derry
The dissident organisation is locked in ceasefire talks with the government The uniformed and masked men passing one of the famous Battle of the Bogside murals at Free Derry Corner The New IRA leadership was divided over riot plans in Derry on Easter Monday, the Sunday World has learned. The dissident organisation is locked in ceasefire talks with the government and it is understood elements of the leadership were adamant that Monday's event should pass off peacefully. The annual Easter Rising parade in the city, which has a history of violence, involved a colour party of people carrying flags and wearing paramilitary-style uniforms with their faces covered. It started in the Creggan estate and concluded with speeches at Free Derry corner in the Bogside area. A crowd of mostly young people threw petrol bombs and fireworks at police vehicles stationed close to the city's historic walls overlooking the Bogside. It has been claimed the violence was orchestrated to hinder a police investigation into a parade but the Sunday World understands there was dissent at the head of the organisation. According to dissident sources, ceasefire talks are at an advanced stage and that it is only a matter of time before cessation is announced. Veteran members are believed to be advocating a political strategy, bringing to an end their campaign of violence which has seen the organisation carry out seven murders since its inception in 2012. It was a continuation of the Real IRA, the organisation that carried out the Omagh Bomb in August 1998, and was an amalgam of dissident groups including Republican Action Against Drugs. The first indication of the movement taking a political direction was the formation of Saoradh in 2016, which is seen as the political wing of the New IRA. Monday's violence was low scale and involved young people some of them barely into their teens. Elements of the leadership were keen for the event to pass off peacefully rather than rock the boat when it comes to ceasefire talks. 'They want to show that they are capable of controlling their organisation, but there are still plenty of hawks who advocate violence,' said our source. The disruption is unlikely to derail any talks but it shows the leadership is far from being in a place where they can sell the idea of a ceasefire to their members. 'Those who are advocating a ceasefire are the older heads, many of them have been through the process with the IRA back in the day,' said our source. 'The hawks are the younger ones who have no experience of a political process and who still see an advantage in waging a campaign of violence.' On Thursday two men appeared in court to face charges in connection with Monday's disruption. The Magistrates Court in Derry was told the violence was an attempt by the New IRA to prevent police from investigating the parade. A man charged with offences under the Terrorism Act was at the parade in a 'professional capacity' providing security, his lawyer said. Thomas Joseph Moore (55), from Farren Park on Buncrana Road, has provided security at several events in the city, including a visit by former US President Bill Clinton, his solicitor said. Moore has been charged with assisting in arranging a meeting which he knew to be supporting a proscribed organisation, namely the IRA. He was further charged with aiding and abetting unknown persons in wearing paramilitary clothing in support of a proscribed organisation and aiding and abetting unknown persons in failing to comply with conditions imposed by the Parades Commission. When charged with the three offences, each of which carries a maximum jail sentence of six months, the defendant replied: 'This is all nonsense. All I was doing was stewarding.' A PSNI detective inspector said that he could connect the defendant to the offences. The detective said that at Monday's parade, after which 50 petrol bombs were thrown at the PSNI, the defendant was seen liaising with masked men. The officer said the Derry parade was an annual event which 'traditionally results in significant public disorder'. He said that on Monday a number of the participants were masked and observed to be wearing paramilitary-style uniform. 'This was a direct failure to comply with the first condition set by the Parades Commission,' he added. The officer said Moore was identified by an air support unit directing a group of masked men. Granting bail, Judge Archer said the defendant did not have a relevant record, the last entry being more than 30 years ago. The case was adjourned until May 22.
