On August 15th, 1998, the Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA) carried out a bomb attack in Omagh, County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. The attack killed 29 people, including a pregnant woman carrying twins, and injured more than 200 others.
The Omagh bombing has been recognized as the worst act of violence in Northern Ireland since the conflicts began. In the aftermath of the bombing the victims’ families filed in what is known as a landmark civil lawsuit against five members of the Real IRA.
Omagh Bombing
It was a busy Saturday afternoon in Omagh, County Tyrone. It was just two weeks before school was to start and the town was packed with patrons and tourists going about their day. According to an August 16th, 1998 report by the BBC, authorities said they were warned that a bomb was to go off; however, reports state that the location was unclear. At approximately 3 p.m. (BST), a car carrying explosives that was parked in the towns’ main shopping area was detonated killing and maiming innocent civilians.
Group Takes Responsibility
An August 19th, 1998 article published in The Independent states that the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the attack and that “…the group apologised for causing the casualties, saying the large car-bomb had been aimed at a commercial target rather than at taking life.”
Omagh Families Grief
In the aftermath of the bombings, the families of the victims killed and injured in the attack set up the Omagh Support and Self Help Group (OSSHG), where those affected will find comfort and assistance.
The OSSHG helps those injured or maimed in the attack by providing funding acquired through donations, information and job training.
Landmark Victory for Omagh Families
In the years since the bombings, the victims’ families as well as survivors have long awaited for the convictions of those responsible for the attack. After numerous investigations and setbacks, the families launched a civil lawsuit against five men they believed responsible for the bomb attack. And on June 8th, 2009, a judge in the Belfast High Court ruled in the favour of the families awarding them more than $4 million in damages as well as finding four out of the five men accused – Liam Campbell, Michael McKevitt, Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly - liable for the bomb attack. The case against the fifth man accused, Seamus McKenna, was dismissed.
The civil lawsuit victory brought on by the victims’ families of the Omagh bombing is the first of its kind in the world where those responsible for the attacks were held accountable for their actions. In a statement made by Michael Gallagher as reported in the June 9th, 2009 issue of The Independent, “The message to victims around the world is that we have created a precedent and those other people who have been victims of terrorism can use this vehicle. The message to governments is if you do not do it, we will do it.”
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