Chris Heaton-Harris orders independent statutory inquiry into 1998 Omagh bombing

Northern Ireland Secretary of Chris Heaton-Harris has announced an independent statutory inquiry into the 1998 Omagh bombing will take place.

He said it is being set up to examine if the atrocity could have been prevented had intelligence been acted upon.

The independent statutory inquiry will examine four issues identified by the High Court; the handling and sharing of intelligence, the use of cell phone analysis, whether there was advance knowledge or reasonable means of knowledge of the bomb, and whether disruption operations could or should have been mounted, which may have helped prevent the Real IRA’s attack.

The bombing in the Co Tyrone town on August 15 1998 was the single biggest atrocity of the Troubles, claiming the lives of 29 people.

On Thursday, Mr Heaton-Harris told the House of Commons he intends to establish the inquiry in response to a court judgment that directed the Government to establish some form of investigation.

Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden died in the Real IRA bombing, took the legal challenge that resulted in the judge directing the state to act.

He welcomed Thursday's announcement: "The Secretary of State has given us everything that we have asked for, and we're very appreciative of that."

"It's still sinking in, to be honest, I think it's going to be a long time to come to terms with the fact that we're going to hopefully get the answers that we need and we can move on," he added.

Speaking in the House of Commons Chris Heaton-Harris explained that he had listened to representations of those families affected by the atrocity alongside other factors, including its independence, cost to public purse and how best to "allay wider public concern".

"I intend to establish an independent statutory inquiry into the Omagh bombing," he added.

"I have informed Mr Gallagher and members of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, as well as representatives of Families Moving On of this decision.

"The inquiry will focus specifically on the four grounds which the court held as giving rise to plausible arguments that the bombing could have been prevented.

"The inquiry will also need to take account of the findings of previous investigations to avoid duplication."

Mr Heaton-Harris said he accepted this is a "significant" decision.

DUP Strangford MP Jim Shannon told the House of Commons: "I remember exactly where I was the day that the Omagh bomb atrocity took place and I remember the news being announced as well. It is a day back in August 1998 when we really appreciate all the efforts today.

"My party has previously supported the Omagh families' call for an Article 2 compliant investigation and I very much welcome the Secretary of State's announcement today."

Mr Shannon said that the bombing was "planned and assembled and transported from within the Republic of Ireland", and called for the government there to set up a similar inquiry.

He added: "Would the Secretary of State agree that unless there is such an investigation it is unlikely that the full truth about what happened that day will be brought to light?"

Mr Heaton-Harris replied that the UK Government could not compel the Irish government to open an investigation, adding: "We are talking to each other on a whole range of different issues in a much more constructive way than we have done for a decent while, and I know we will have - actually some of the discussions on things like this can be quite tough on both sides - but they are being done in a respectful way and I know that both sides are wanting to do the best by all the people that we represent."Eslewhere, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar welcomed the announcement, saying the Irish Government would examine the cross-border element.

"The Omagh atrocity was a terrible crime committed by the Real IRA," he said in a press conference ahead of the announcement.

"It was an act of barbarous inhumanity and I remember it well. It is important, I believe, that those families who are still suffering today get the truth and the answers that they need and they deserve.

He added: "We want to find out what happened and whether it could have been prevented It is important to know those things. And we're also very aware that there was probably a cross-border element to this terrible crime.

"We're going to sit down with the UK authorities and work out how we can contribute to that. We certainly won't be found wanting in terms of making sure that any aspect of this that happened in our jurisdiction, on our side of the border is fully investigated as well and we'll have to agree the right mechanism as to how we can do that."

During his statement to the House of Commons, Alliance MP Stephen Farry asked the NI Secretary to respond to Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aiden died in the 1998 bombing.

He told MPs that Mr Gallagher believed there were "serious security and intelligence failings" and that the bombing was preventable.

The North Down MP added: "Can I also ask the Secretary of State just to confirm the terms of the terms of reference that he has set out.

"Comprehensive though they were, if the chair feels he needs to go beyond that, that he will have the flexibility in that respect?"

Chris Heaton-Harris replied: "I completely understand Mr Gallagher's point but that information will come to light in this inquiry, I am absolutely sure, if it exists, so I hope that he will be able to prove himself, and the community in Omagh, and the wider community too, one way or the other exactly what happened.

"As to the terms of reference actually they are not set yet, and when I have appointed the chair of the inquiry I will get to that conversation, but I will certainly take into regard what he has just said." Meanwhile SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan welcomed the move and said: "This is a significant announcement and welcome news to the Omagh Bomb families who have been incredibly brave and determined in their pursuit of Truth and Justice. "Thinking of them all."

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