Security ‘normalisation’ in Northern Ireland will be one of the issues explored in the Omagh bomb inquiry set up to determine if the “act of savagery” could have been prevented.
In his opening remarks, senior counsel to the inquiry outlined the context of the Good Friday Agreement and said policies implemented in the wake of the peace deal will be an important consideration in the proceedings.
Paul Greaney KC made his opening statement as a series of commemorative hearings got underway at the Strule Arts Centre on Tuesday morning.
The names of all the 29 people who were killed in the Real IRA blast, including a mother carrying unborn twins, were read out and a moment’s silence observed in their memory.
Mr Greaney said evidence from bereaved families due to be heard over the coming weeks will provide valuable context for the Inquiry.
“What was done that day here in Omagh was an act of savagery,” he said.
“During the inquiry, we will refer to these people as what they were – terrorists.
“That the attack occurred at a time at which there was optimism for peace, and was done with a view to disrupting that peace made it all the more wicked, if that were possible.
“Understanding the impact of the bombing is critical to the investigation of the issue of preventability and for that reason we will not shy away from shining a bright light on the terrible consequences of that day.
“The evidence will allow the chairman, his team, core participants and the wider public to understand and mark the effect of the bombing on individuals and on their families and on the broader community.
“We will be focusing on those who died, on their families and on those survivors and responders who wish to contribute to the process.”
Mr Greaney said “some malevolent forces remained” despite overwhelming support across the island of Ireland for the peace process.
“A number of dissident republicans continued to be violently opposed to the peace process and they were prepared to use extreme and fatal violence in efforts disrupt that process,” he continued.
Only one man, Colm Murphy, was ever convicted in a criminal court in relation to the atrocity which occurred on August 15, 1998 – however he was cleared in 2010 eight years after being found guilty by the Dublin Special Criminal Court of conspiracy to cause the Omagh bombing.
Interview evidence from An Garda Síochána was ruled inadmissible at a retrial.
His initial arrest in 1999 followed a joint Royal Ulster Constabulary-Garda investigation.
The Irish Government has formally agreed to provide assistance to the inquiry.
The father of one of the victims said the inquiry’s focus on those killed and injured will “bring humanity” to proceedings.
Long-awaited Omagh bomb inquiry set for first public hearing
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was among the dead, was anticipating a difficult day as he joined other bereaved families and survivors at Strule Arts Centre.
“It’s important to be here to support the other families, the Spanish families are giving evidence this morning, it’s going to be difficult,” he said.
“It brings a lot of it back, but it’s hugely important to focus this week and next week and the week after on the victims. In all of this, sometimes the voice of the victims is lost because there are so many technical arguments, but this brings humanity to it.”
Mr Gallagher, who campaigned for many years for the inquiry and took the legal action which result in a High Court judge ordering that the inquiry be called, said sometimes he felt like he had to pinch himself that it was happening.
“I just hope for me that this is the beginning of the end, that we do get the answers we need, that both the British Government and the Irish Government fully co-operate with the inquiry and as a bereaved parent I can say that’s all I can do, and I’m very grateful for everybody who helped us get to this point where we can see an end.”
Scottish judge Lord Turnbull is chairing the inquiry and has previously said it will undertake its task “rigorously and fearlessly” and emphasised the “defining character of the inquiry must be its independence”.