Omagh Bombing Inquiry: Former NI Secretary Fell Asleep in Meeting with Victims

Michael Gallagher spoke at a hearing for his son, Aiden. Aiden died in the 1998 Omagh bombing. Twenty-nine people died that day. A mother carrying twins was among them.

Gallagher said a past NI Secretary fell asleep during a meeting with victim’s families. He did not know why the Secretary slept. Gallagher found it quite shocking.

He talked about Chris Heaton-Harris’s visit. Heaton-Harris announced the public inquiry in 2021. Theresa Villiers had rejected their request in 2013. She cited a police probe for her decision.

Gallagher felt a different atmosphere with Heaton-Harris. Heaton-Harris visited Omagh and the Memorial Garden. Gallagher is grateful for his difficult decision. He praised his approach to the victims.

Gallagher stated the victims became freedom fighters. The Real IRA claimed to be freedom fighters. They attacked innocent civilians for political goals. Gallagher called them “freedom takers.”

Aiden Gallagher died at age 21. He was a victim of the Omagh bomb. The bombing happened on August 15, 1998.

Gallagher hopes the inquiry brings justice for everyone affected by the bombing. They committed to this process fully. It felt crucial to get the inquiry.

He hopes the inquiry bears fruit. It has been a difficult long journey. The process took almost all his time for 25 years.

He felt he could ease up after the announcement. Others now have the duty to find the truth. He and others will still provide information.

Gallagher said he started gardening this last year. He finds gardening therapeutic. Planting and growing things helps him. He could never do this before. He is happy with the current progress.