Omagh families want RIRA included in 'anti-terror' crackdown

Families of the victims of the Omagh bombing have urged the British Government to extend its latest raft of anti-terrorism legislation to cover those who fund and support the Real IRA.

The Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Bill currently focuses on “international terrorism”, but the opposition Conservative Party has already called for an amendment to include Irish organisations.

Families of the Omagh victims believe the new law should be used to crack down on the 32 County Sovereignty Committee and the Irish Prisoners’ Welfare Association, both of which provide funds to the families of jailed republicans.

Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Adrian died in the Omagh atrocity, said: “If you send someone out with a gun or bomb and say ‘If you are caught and put in prison, we will take care of your family’, I think you are subsidising terrorism.”