Omagh bombing inquiry to begin with statements from victims’ families
Victims and relatives will take centre stage as the inquiry into the worst atrocity of the Troubles gets underway today.
For the next four weeks, commemorative and personal statements about the 29 people killed in the 1998 Omagh bombing will be heard at the Strule Arts Centre in the County Tyrone town, in what victims’ groups predict will be a “harrowing” experience.
The public inquiry, which held a preliminary session last year, has been established by the UK government to examine if the Real IRA bomb attack could have been prevented.
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In 2023, when the inquiry was announced, the father of one victim described it as ‘huge step’ forward
The car bomb explosion on 15 August 1998 killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, in the single bloodiest outrage in Northern Ireland’s protracted period of civil unrest and violence. More than 200 were wounded.
Relatives will now have the opportunity to speak about their deceased family members in this initial phase of the inquiry.
Today, the two Spanish victims of the attack will be remembered.
A bomb was detonated at the junction of Market Street and Dublin Road in Omagh. File pic: MoD
Twelve-year-old Fernando Blasco Baselga, and his youth leader, Rocio Abad Ramos, 23 were visiting Omagh when the attack happened. They were part of a Spanish group learning English over the border in County Donegal.
Solicitor Michael Donaghy will read a statement on behalf of Fernando’s family, while Rocio will be remembered by her sister Paloma Abad Ramos.
The bombing, just months after voters endorsed the landmark Good Friday peace agreement, shocked Ireland and engendered a grim resolution to accelerate the peace process rather than return to violence.
In August 2023, people gathered at the Omagh Memorial Garden to mark the 25th anniversary of the atrocity. Pic: PA
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Nobody was ever convicted of the bombing, but Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt was found liable in a 2009 civil case, along with four other men – Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly.
Murphy and Daily were cleared of liability on appeal in 2011, but found liable for the bombing in a civil retrial in 2013.
Colm Murphy had also been convicted of criminal involvement in the conspiracy, but was cleared in a retrial after Irish police were found to have falsified interview notes.
Real IRA Leader Michael McKevitt. File pic: PA
Colm Murphy leaving court in 2005 after being cleared of criminal involvement following a retrial. File pic: PA
Established last year, the inquiry has been asked to decide if the bombing could have been prevented by the UK authorities, but it will not identify the people responsible for the attack.
The Bishop of Liverpool has announced his retirement days after facing allegations of misconduct from two women, including another bishop.
One woman said the Right Reverend Dr John Perumbalath kissed her without consent and groped her, while the second accused him of sexual harassment.
The bishop has vehemently denied the allegations – and in his retirement letter, published online on Thursday, he reiterated his denial.
The letter, shared by the Diocese of Liverpool, read: “Having sought the permission of His Majesty the King, I have today taken the decision to retire from active ministry in the Church of England.”
Addressing the accusations, he continued: “Since those allegations were made I have consistently maintained that I have not done anything wrong and continue to do so.
“I do not wish this story to become a distraction for this incredible diocese and its people whom it has been an honour and joy to serve,” the bishop says in his letter.
“This is not a resignation occasioned by fault or by any admission of liability.”
The exact date for when the bishop’s role will formally end is yet to be decided, but he is stepping back from ministering and leading the diocese as of Thursday.
The letter continued: “I have taken this decision for my own well-being, my family and the best interests of the Diocese.
“I have informed the Archbishop of York of my decision and I understand he will put in place the necessary arrangements for episcopal oversight of the diocese for the remainder of my time here and during the vacancy.”
Bishop Perumbalath has insisted his retirement is not an admission of guilt
The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell – who has faced calls to resign over separate safeguarding failures – said: “I respect his decision and thank him for his ministry.”
“My thoughts and prayers continue to be with all those who have been affected by this situation,” he continued. “I am committed to ensuring stability during this time of transition and will be putting the necessary arrangements in place to provide episcopal oversight for the diocese.”
An acting bishop will be announced in the coming days.
The Archbishop of York (pictured) has welcomed the decision – which comes at a tumultuous time for the Church of England
The diocese – which on Wednesday pressured the bishop to step aside – said in a statement: “We acknowledge his decision in taking this step for the good of the Diocese of Liverpool.
“This is a deeply painful situation, and we hold all concerned in our prayers.”
The misconduct allegations were reported by Channel 4 earlier this week but the first dates back to 2023, the Church of England confirmed.
It said: “The complaint was looked into according to statutory safeguarding guidance… and an independent risk assessment undertaken.
“This process concluded that there were no ongoing safeguarding concerns, but a learning outcome was identified with which the bishop fully engaged.”
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A “further disclosure was made by another woman” shortly after, the Church said. This was “assessed not to be a safeguarding matter but a matter of alleged misconduct,” it added.
Bishop Perumbalath’s resignation comes at a tumultuous time for the Church of England, which has recently seen Justin Welby quit as Archbishop of Canterbury over the handling of another case.
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