Omagh bomb relatives clear latest legal hurdle

By Q Radio News

Victims and relatives of the Omagh bomb have cleared another legal hurdle.

They were back in court this morning to push for a Judicial Review of the government's refusal to hold a public inquiry into the Real IRA attack.

29 people died in the atrocity, including a woman pregnant with twins. 

Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was one of those killed, spoke to Q Radio after the hearing:

Victims' relatives were fearing a further postponement to await definitive rulings about how the Human Rights Act impacts on a wider catalogue of so-called legacy litigation.

But with lawyers unable to reach agreement, Mrs Justice Keegan decided to press ahead with the July dates - a month short of the 20th anniversary of the Real IRA attack. 

She said: "This case has been set up and listed for some time, people want to get it heard." 

The case centres on claims that a range of intelligence from British security agents, MI5 and RUC officers could have been drawn together to prevent the outrage.

Mr Gallagher launched his legal action after Ms Villiers rejected calls for a public investigation in September 2013.

She decided instead that a probe by Police Ombudsman Michael Maguire was the best way to address any outstanding issues surrounding the atrocity.  

In October 2014 Dr Maguire published a report where he found RUC Special Branch withheld some intelligence information from detectives hunting the bombers.

No one has ever been convicted of carrying out the attack.

Judicial review proceedings have been caught up in arguments over holding partially closed hearings amid fears the disclosure of sensitive material could damage national security.

However, a week has now been set aside for the case.

It is expected that emails between FBI spy David Rupert, who infiltrated the Real IRA, and his handlers, will feature in the challenge.

Mr Gallagher, who attended today's review hearing, expressed delight at the decision to maintain the hearing dates.

The development comes after Omagh was once again in the spotlight this week with a royal visit to the town.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall met bereaved relatives and survivors as well as members of the emergency services who dealt with the carnage.

The royal couple also laid a wreath at the memorial garden.

Hear Michael Gallagher's full interview: