The initial stage of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry has opened at the town's Strule Arts Centre. The hearing will commemorate the lives of the 29 people murdered in the bombing, including a woman expecting twins.
The attack, carried out in 1998 by the Real IRA, was the biggest single atrocity of the Troubles. Detailed verbal portraits of the victims will be read out during the initial parts of the hearing, in many instances by their relatives.
The inquiry is seeking to determine whether the bombing could have been prevented by UK state authorities. Making an opening statement to the commemorative hearings, Omagh Bombing Inquiry chairman Lord Turnbull said they will have an “important value” in educating others about the real effect of terrorism.
“Those who watch and listen will be overwhelmed and humbled, as I have been, on hearing of the appalling injuries inflicted on people of all ages and of the dignity and compassion with which so many of those have coped with the changes in their circumstances which have been imposed upon them.
“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 told media as he arrived at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh for the public inquiry.
“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 campaigned for many years for the inquiry 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 send an end.”
