SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has offered his full support to the families of the Omagh bombing victims.

He attended the first day of the public inquiry into the bombing in the town on Tuesday.

West Tyrone MLA Mr McCrossan said:

“There are very few lives in Omagh, Tyrone and right across this wider area that have not been touched in some way by the Omagh bombing. These next few days and weeks are going to be very difficult for the families of the bombing victims, the survivors and everyone who was in Omagh that day, from our incredible emergency response teams, to the ordinary shoppers caught up in this terrible atrocity.

“Over the years I have been privileged to get to know some of the Omagh families and through that lasting relationship throughout their fight for the truth and justice have built lasting friendships. People like Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Aiden and Stanley McCombe, who lost his wife Ann. Ever since they have worked tirelessly, with quiet dignity, to help other victims in a relentless battle to establish exactly what happened in Omagh that day and why.

“The SDLP has always stood firmly behind the Omagh families and I was at the inquiry as it opened on Tuesday to be alongside them and show our support. We are fast approaching the 30th anniversary of this bombing that changed the face of a town and community forever. For many of the families it feels like it was yesterday. Nothing will make up for their devastating loss, but this public inquiry will give them the opportunity to make sure their story is heard, and it must finally provide answers to the questions they have agonised over for so long.”