Northern Ireland Judge To Rule On Challenge To UK Decision Not To Hold Omagh Inquiry.

Friday, 23 July 2021 10:14

It was the worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland conflict.

A High Court judge in Northern Ireland is to deliver a ruling in a legal challenge to the UK Government's decision not to hold a public inquiry into the Omagh bombing.

Campaigners launched the action in 2013 in an attempt to force an inquiry into the Real IRA atrocity in 1998 which killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins.

It was the worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland conflict.

The long-running case concluded more than two years ago, and Mr Justice Mark Horner will deliver his judgment later today.

Real prospect that Omagh bomb, which killed 29 people, could have been prevented, judge rules:https://t.co/7PBMyKeWDk pic.twitter.com/X11uiGoDaM
— BBC News NI (@BBCNewsNI) July 23, 2021

The ruling was issued late on Friday morning.

A High Court judge in Northern Ireland says there was a "real prospect" to prevent the Omagh Bombing in 1998.

Mr Justice Mark Horner is recommending the single most deadly attack of the Troubles should be investigated by the UK and Irish governments.

Ben Finnegan reports:

"29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins were killed on August 15th 1998 by an attack in county Tyrone, which was claimed by the Real IRA.

It was the worst single autrocity throughout the Troubles.

This legal challenge to the UK Government's decision not to hold a public inquiry into the Omagh bombing was launched by campaigners back in 2013.

The case concluded more than two years ago

Mr Justice Mark Horner recommended today that the UK Government is to carry out a human rights compliant investigation into what happened in the aftermath of the incident.

Despite not having powers over the Republic, the judgement also recommended the Irish Governement carry out a similar investigation.

The UK's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis has said the British Government will consider the recommendations. "