Irish government must put answers for victims first, insist Omagh and Dublin bomb victims

Allison Morris, Belfast Telegraph, November 2nd, 2024

The father of a man murdered by the Real IRA has said the Irish government needs to “leave politics to the side” and concentrate on getting answers for victims of Troubles atrocities. Michael Gallagher, who lost his 21-year-old son Aiden in the Omagh bomb, said he was “disappointed” by the Irish government's inaction on legacy.

Recent legal challenges on the matter have concentrated on repealing the Westminster government's controversial Northern Ireland Troubles Act. However, victims say the Irish government must also live up to its obligations.

The IRA's notorious south Armagh unit was made up of two battalions, one in Jonesborough and the other in Crossmaglen. Around half their members lived on the southern side of the border. Between 1970 and 1997 the brigade was responsible for 165 security force deaths and more than 1,000 bombings.

After the IRA ceasefires, disillusioned members of the south Armagh brigade helped form the Real IRA, responsible for the blast which devastated Omagh, killing 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins. Those involved in making and transporting the bomb operated on both sides of the border.

The Omagh Bomb Inquiry held a preliminary sitting in July with its chairman, senior Scottish judge Lord Turnbull, promising it would undertake its task “rigorously and fearlessly”. The inquiry was established last year following a lengthy legal battle by some victims' families, headed by Mr Gallagher, whose son Aiden was among the victims.

Lawyer Paul Greaney KC said the inquiry is “grateful” for the Irish government committing to assist its work, adding that discussions had taken place with Dublin officials and gardai. Mr Greaney said it is hoped written agreements can be put in place to “make certain the inquiry has full access to any relevant materials and has the ability to obtain statements and call witnesses”. But so far there has been no agreement.

Mr Gallagher said his preferred way forward was two parallel inquiries.

Former Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris also suggested the Irish government should set up its own inquiry.

However, Tánaiste Micheál Martin ruled that out, saying it did “not make sense” to have inquiries running on both sides of the border.

Mr Gallagher said that the Irish government needs to “put politics aside” and do what's best for victims. “Until now the Irish government have been selective in what victims they have supported,” he said. “We are disappointed that they ruled out having an inquiry.

“There are big questions for authorities on both sides of the border in terms of Omagh and what was known through intelligence before and after. As it stands the inquiry will not be able to compel witnesses from another jurisdiction to attend and will rely on them voluntarily crossing the border to give evidence, and it is unclear what the disclosure obligations are.”

Campaigners for those killed in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in May 1974 say they are also unhappy with the response of the Irish government around requests for disclosure.

The UVF set off three cars bombs in Dublin during the evening rush hour and a fourth exploded in Monaghan almost 90 minutes later. They killed 35 civilians, including a pregnant woman, and injured almost 300. Most of the victims who ranged from four months to 80, were women.

Margaret Urwin heads up the Justice for the Forgotten group that has been campaigning since 1996.

Their case formed part of the Operation Denton investigation being carried out by the Kenova team, now being directed by Sir Iain Livingstone. The families have also had a Police Ombudsman's complaint lodged since 2014.

While all Troubles cases based in Northern Ireland were passed to the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) after the introduction of the Legacy Act, the body does not have the power to investigate killings in the Republic. Therefore the Dublin-Monaghan families find themselves with no recourse.

Ms Urwin said victims living in the Republic feel “abandoned”.

“We would have ideally hoped for a return to the Stormont House Agreement but with an historical investigations unit situated here,” she added.

A spokesperson for the Taoiseach's office defended the Irish government's handling of both cases, saying that at preliminary hearing ahead of the Omagh Bomb Inquiry, the Irish government “signalled in the clearest terms its commitment to facilitating and supporting the work of the inquiry”.

He added: “Government officials, including officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Justice, as well as An Garda Síochána, have been engaging regularly with the inquiry team since its appointment.

“We are exploring with them how best to structure our engagement over the course of the inquiry, and that work is ongoing. Additionally, the government is committed to put in place new legislation, if that is what is required, to support our assistance to the inquiry.”

Comments

Its time politics are taken out of victims seeking truth and justice. All victims must be treated with equality and shown respect. It should not be down to individual leaders of Governments to choose what cases he or she deserves justice. The treatment of victims has been pathetic. Justice should not have to be made so difficult by the courts and the governments. Political parties and politicians need to look at themselves and be honest if they are doing everything they can to help and ensure that the truth comes out for victims and their families. We have had equality preached by politicians but not practiced . All the the Omagh and Dublin Monaghan bombing families deserve justice and the Irish and British governments must support the needs and requests of the families. We have some really great politicians on both sides of the border who support victims and now we need more to help in our battle for truth and justice. Forget political aspirations and the religion of victims as the pain has no politics or religion. I thank those in Dublin and Belfast who are helping me and I support Margaret and Michael's groups having inquiries for the reasons of truth, justice, equality and need.

Raymond McCord Victims campaigner North Belfast