Omagh bomb 'scars still run deep' 25 years on
No one has ever been convicted of carrying out the attack
Last updated 15th Aug 2023
It was the greatest single loss of life in the history of the Northern Ireland Troubles. Twenty-nine people, including a woman pregnant with twins, died in the 1998 Real IRA car bomb attack.
No one has ever been convicted of carrying out the attack.
Downtown Radio & Cool FM Reporter James Gould spoke to DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.
The DUP leader had this to say:
Alliance leader Naomi Long, a former justice minister in the Northern Ireland Executive, has appealed for anyone with information relating to the August 1998 Omagh bombing to come forward.
Ms Long's comments follow a commemoration service over the weekend and before a Tuesday gathering of some of those bereaved by the incident to mark the 25th anniversary of the Real IRA attack.
The dissident republican attack in 1998 devastated the Co Tyrone village, killing 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, and injuring hundreds of others.
Ms Long said: "The announcement by the UK Government earlier this year of an independent statutory inquiry into the bombing will have brought some relief for grieving families but nothing can truly ease the pain of the horrific loss they suffered."
"That the dissident republicans behind this crime have yet to be brought to justice simply adds to the anguish."
"Those bereaved and injured by the Omagh bomb have a right to know the full facts surrounding the tragic event and even now, 25 years on, I would appeal to anyone with information to come forward."
"I also call on those still engaged in violence to end their destructive campaigns."
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan also paid tribute to the "strength of the Omagh bombing families".
He added: "The events of August 15 1998 have cast a long shadow over the town of Omagh."
"The scars still run deep, for many the pain is as a real today as it was 25 years ago, when life changed forever for hundreds of people right across this community."
"I cannot adequately express how proud I am of how this community has responded in the years since the bombing."
"Instead of being consumed by bitterness and hatred, the Omagh families have shown strength, dignity and a humanity that couldn't reasonably have been expected of them in these awful circumstances."
"It has been an honour and privilege to get to know them over the years and to support them in their never-ending quest for truth and justice."
He said it was "deeply distressing" that the community was still waiting for the commencement of an inquiry into the bombing."
He added: "Families have already waited far too long, many family members of victims have passed away and we need to see this inquiry start as soon as possible."
"There can be no stone left unturned."
Thye Northern Ireland Secretary Mr Heaton-Harris said the Government continues to have the deepest sympathy for all those who were impacted by the atrocity, the worst loss of life in a single incident in Northern Ireland's troubled past.
The families of some of those bereaved in the incident are expected to gather at the site later to lay flowers on the 25th anniversary of the Real IRA attack.
The dissident republican attack in 1998 devastated the Co Tyrone village, killing 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, and injuring hundreds of others.
Earlier this year, Mr Heaton-Harris announced that an independent statutory inquiry will be carried out into the atrocity.
He said: "Twenty five years ago today, news of the bombing of Omagh reverberated around the world."
"The horrific terrorist atrocity of 15 August 1998, committed by the Real IRA, caused untold damage to the families of the 29 people and two unborn children who were tragically killed, and the 220 people who were injured."
"To this day, it remains the largest loss of life in a single incident in Northern Ireland."
"The Government has the deepest sympathy for all of those affected."
"Taking place only months after the signing of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, the bombing occurred at a time when the people of Northern Ireland were looking to a future without the violence that had sadly dominated the previous three decades."
The Northern Ireland Secretary added: "The Omagh atrocity, just like other acts of terrorism before or since, had absolutely no justification, and never will. "
"In February, I announced the government would establish an independent statutory inquiry into the preventability of the Omagh bombing."
"While responsibility for this appalling crime lies with the murderers and those that assisted them, it is important that all lessons are learned and that confidence in this is given to the families of those affected, and to wider society."
"Last year, I visited the site of the bombing with relatives of the deceased - a very sobering experience - and crossed the road to visit the Memorial Garden of Light which commemorates all those who lost their lives."
"Today, like they were then, my thoughts are with the families and all those impacted by the Omagh bombing a quarter of a century ago."
A memorial service, attended by British and Irish Government ministers, took place in the town on Sunday.
Later today, the Families Moving On victims' support group has organised a private service to be held in the town's library.
Shortly after 3pm, families will lay flowers at the obelisk which marks the bomb site, at the moment when the device exploded 25 years ago.