SDLP welcomes Statutory Inquiry into Omagh Bomb

daniel mccrossan Omagh Bomb

SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has welcomed an announcement from Secretary of State Chris Heaton Harris that there will be an independent Statutory Inquiry into the Omagh Bombing.

Mr McCrossan received written confirmation from former Taoiseach Micheál Martin last month that the Irish Government would review its approach if such an inquiry was called.

Daniel McCrossan MLA said:

“The events of 15th August 1998 left an indelible mark on the people of Omagh whose lives were shattered and unalterably changed by an act of unspeakable evil in this town. The horrifying attack on this community was designed to destroy the town and divide our people – those behind it have failed.

“The incredible fortitude of the people of Omagh has been inspiring. They should never have had to fight so hard or for so long for a proper inquiry to determine the truth about what happened that day. I am delighted for the families that they now have a path to the truth which is what so many of them have been campaigning for.

“I hope that this announcement will spur similar action from the Irish Government. The High Court judgment in 2021 clearly outlined the need for a cooperative investigation given the cross border nature of this atrocity and I was pleased to receive confirmation from former Taoiseach Micheál Martin that the Irish Government would review its approach to the case late last year.

“The people of Omagh deserve answers and I hope that this announcement brings that closer.”

 

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