No inquiry into Omagh bombing, officials say

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has rejected a call for a public inquiry into the Omagh bombing.

29 people, including a pregnant woman with twins, died in the Real IRA bomb blast in the town in 1998 in one of the worst attacks in the North's history.

Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said: “I do not believe that there are sufficient grounds to justify a further review or inquiry above and beyond those that have already taken place or are ongoing.”

The relatives of the victims have pressed for a full public inquiry over claims that police and security services failed to share intelligence that could've prevented the attack.

Ms Villiers said it was not an easy decision to make and all views were carefully considered.

“I believe that the ongoing investigation by the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland is the best way to address any outstanding issues relating to the police investigation into the Omagh attack.

“The fact remains that the Real IRA carried out the bombing in Omagh on 15 August 1998, murdering 29 people and injuring many more. Responsibility is theirs alone. I sincerely hope that the ongoing police investigation will bring to justice those responsible for this brutal crime.

Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden, 21, was among the victims, condemned the decision, describing the reasons given by Ms Villiers for ruling out a public inquiry as ``trivial''.

He told Sky News: “Should we be denied truth and justice because other people don’t want it?”

Referring to his belief that the bomb attack could have been prevented, he said: “The reality is that Aiden need not have died.”