Omagh bomb families seek special advocates at inquiry

upday.com 1 dzień temu

Survivors and families of those killed in the Omagh bomb have asked to be represented by a special advocate in closed hearings at the public inquiry. The request comes as the inquiry prepares to examine sensitive security evidence behind closed doors.

Lord Turnbull, chairman of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry, is hearing arguments around the applications during dedicated hearings this week. The inquiry is investigating whether the 1998 dissident republican bomb attack could have been prevented.

Inquiry examines security evidence

Counsel to the inquiry Paul Greaney KC said the probe will hear some sensitive security evidence in closed hearings. The atrocity in the Co Tyrone town on 15 August 1998 killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins.

Speaking during hearings in Belfast on Monday, Greaney said the inquiry's legal team recognises that survivors and the bereaved have spent 25 years seeking the truth. He acknowledged they may be "suspicious or even cynical of the UK state's willingness to engage in a way that is straightforward and wholehearted with this inquiry".

Families seek representation rights

The barrister said the inquiry team understands that the idea of evidence being heard whilst families and survivors are excluded is one they will find "difficult to accept, to say the least". He described it as "entirely understandable" that some have suggested special advocates should be appointed to represent their interests in any closed hearings.

Greaney noted that some, although not all, survivors and families have made applications for special advocate representation. The applications reflect concerns about transparency in proceedings that could determine whether the devastating attack might have been prevented.

(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.

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