LONDON DAILY ARCHIVE
Omagh Bombing Inquiry: Families Demand Truth Amid Distrust
Survivors and victims' families voice concerns over the inquiry's ability to deliver answers regarding the 1998 attack.
11 February 2025 · 14:24 UTC
Kevin Skelton, whose wife Philomena was among those killed, has voiced his skepticism about the inquiry's potential to uncover the truth of that fateful day.
Skelton expressed doubts about the Irish Government's willingness to cooperate with the inquiry, stating, "Without such cooperation, it is dead in the water." His remarks reflect a broader concern among families that the inquiry may not fulfill its objective of delivering justice.
The inquiry is led by Scottish judge Lord Turnbull and is primarily focused on evaluating the steps that UK authorities could have taken to prevent the bombing.
As part of the proceedings, Skelton provided poignant testimony recounting the struggles his family faced in seeking compensation and justice.
He recalled the promises made by political leaders, including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and former US President Bill Clinton, who visited Omagh to assure victims that no efforts would be spared in securing justice.
However, Skelton lamented that these promises have resulted in few convictions.
In a statement read to the inquiry, Skelton emphasized his desire for transparency regarding the decisions made by authorities on the day of the attack.
"All I want is truth.
Are we going to get the truth...
why was the Army not brought in to clear the street?” His frustration echoed a sentiment shared by other families impacted by the tragedy.
Skelton criticized the lack of accountability for those responsible for the bombing, stating, "The boys don’t care.
They were prepared to put a bomb in the middle of a busy street.” He further described his lack of faith in both the Irish and British governments to provide satisfactory answers, recounting his interactions with multiple secretaries of state who, in his view, failed to deliver on their commitments to the victims' families.
Counsel to the inquiry, Paul Greaney KC, acknowledged the public's skepticism about the inquiry's capability to deliver justice in the conventional sense but pledged to explore unanswered questions regarding the bombing and the response from authorities.
In another poignant moment during the hearings, a statement was presented from the family of Veda Short, a victim of the bombing.
Her four children spoke of their father's decline after their mother's death, highlighting the lasting impact of the tragedy on their family, which they described as losing both parents on that day due to their father's subsequent depression and health issues.
The inquiry marks a critical attempt to address the unresolved issues surrounding the Omagh bombing, as families await further action and possible disclosures that could reshape their understanding of the events that transpired that day.