Minister meets with families of Omagh bomb victims

A government minister has met with the families of those killed in the Omagh bombing today.

Lord Filkin, Minister at the Department for Constitutional Affairs, will discuss the provision of £800,000 by the government, which will enable the families to mount a civil action against the alleged perpetrators of the bombing.

Lord Filkin said: "The government and my department are pleased to be able to help the Omagh families bring their case for damages to a court of law. The 1998 bombing was an act of organised terrorism, unprecedented in its scale.

"We should not forget that 29 people lost their lives and hundreds were maimed physically and mentally. The families have worked tirelessly as a group over several years towards mounting this case."

The government has said that the "unique circumstances" of the Omagh bombing made this particular multi-party case one that should be supported in the wider public interest. This will be funded as an exceptional grant.

The Omagh bombing was the single largest act of terrorism committed in the UK, and suffered the largest number of casualties in any single act. In addition, the bombing and subsequent loss of life was an intentional act of violence.

The vast majority of people in Northern Ireland support the families in their struggle to bring the case to court. At least 40% of the anticipated costs of the proceedings will be funded privately, while the defendants in the case are already receiving legal aid.

The Omagh families have already raised £1.2 million towards the costs of the law suit. The £800,000 is an estimate of the further funding needed.

(gmcg)