Omagh bomb inquiry hearings to start in July

Image source, Pacemaker

Image caption, The Omagh bombing was the biggest single atrocity of the Troubles

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The first hearing of an inquiry into the 1998 Omagh bombing will take place in July.

Twenty-nine people, including a woman pregnant with twins, died after the attack in County Tyrone.

It was the biggest single atrocity of the Troubles.

A preliminary hearing, the first step in the independent statutory inquiry, will be held in the town's Strule Arts Centre on 30 July.

It will consider procedural issues relating to the conduct of the inquiry's investigations and hearings.

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The inquiry was announced by the UK government in February 2023.

Video caption, The 29 victims of the Omagh bombing

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Bereaved families have long campaigned for an inquiry into the events of the 15 August 1998 bombing, which was carried out by the Real IRA a few months after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

In February 2024, the terms of reference were published, outlining an investigation into four areas.

These include:

  • The handling and sharing of intelligence
  • The use of mobile phone analysis
  • Whether there was advance knowledge or reasonable means of knowledge of the bomb
  • Whether disruption operations could or should have been mounted, which may have helped prevent the Real IRA attack

No one has ever been convicted for the bombing, however, Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt was found responsible in a 2009 civil case.

Three other men, Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly were also found liable for the attack.

July's preliminary inquiry will be chaired by Lord Alan Turnbull, with Paul Greaney KC acting as counsel to the inquiry.