International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill 2026: Second Stage Seanad Éireann — 2026-05-13 ============================================================ Robbie Gallagher (FF), Labour Panel Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire ar ais go dtí an Teach seo. We in Fianna Fáil very much welcome the debate and support the Bill. The Bill, as the Minister outlined, has a single purpose, namely to assist the Omagh bombing inquiry established by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in February 2024 to investigate whether the bombing could have been prevented by the UK's state authorities. The formal decision taken by the Government on 9 July 2024 to assist the inquiry was taken in recognition of the importance of the inquiry for families and survivors in their quest for truth and justice. The decision is reflected in the programme for Government. The bombing of the town of Omagh on 15 August 1998 was the single worst atrocity of the Troubles. It was a senseless and brutal terrorist attack, resulting in the loss of 31 lives and countless more injuries. Fianna Fáil condemns this abhorrent criminal action and those who planned and perpetrated the attack and planted and detonated the bomb. Our commitment, alongside that of the UK Government, is essential to addressing the enormous impact of Troubles-related violence and the legitimate needs and expectations of victims, families and survivors who have long searched for truth and accountability. The Bill provides a robust statutory framework that seeks to maximise the assistance to be provided to the inquiry to fulfil its terms of reference, while also safeguarding the essential interests of the State and the rights of the witnesses involved. The bombing occurred on 15 August 1998, four months after the Good Friday Agreement had been signed. The bomb exploded in Omagh at 3.04 p.m., killing 29 people and injuring countless more. The Real IRA claimed responsibility three days later. It announced a ceasefire a few weeks later. Colm Murphy was convicted in regard to the bombing by the Special Criminal Court in 2002. His conviction was quashed in 2005. While several more people have been arrested, no one has been convicted. In 2001, a police ombudsman report criticised the RUC over its handling of the initial investigation. In 2008, the Northern Ireland Policing Board appointed a panel of independent experts to review the police's investigation of the bombing. The acquittal of Sean Hoey, Colm Murphy's nephew, who was tried for murder, among other charges, regarding Omagh in 2006, as well as the admission of two PSNI officers that they misled the court, were raised during the review. Allegations that the security forces did not act on advance warnings has consistently been raised in regard to the Omagh bombing. The Omagh bombing inquiry is the statutory independent public inquiry established in 2024 by the UK Government to consider whether the bombing in Omagh on 15 August 1988 could reasonably have been prevented by the UK state authorities. The Government has condemned the abhorrent criminal actions of those who planned and perpetrated the attack and planted and detonated the bomb. We fully support the Omagh inquiry, following a formal decision in July 2024 and commitments made in the programme for Government. Assisting the inquiry established by another sovereign state presents legal and constitutional challenges, in particular around protecting State interests and citizens' rights. Despite these complications, I am glad to report significant progress has been made. A memorandum of understanding has been agreed with the inquiry chair, systems have been put in place to allow the disclosure of sensitive information and dedicated resources from An Garda Síochána have supported that process. To date, approximately 20,000 pages of material, mainly Garda documentation, have been provided to the inquiry, with further disclosures continuing. The inquiry has recognised the considerable efforts and effective progress made by the Irish authorities. Our position is clear. The inquiry must be thorough, comprehensive and focused on delivering truth and justice for the families and survivors. This is the very least they deserve. --- Source: Houses of the Oireachtas. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The Official Report is revised after first publication; the fetch timestamp below identifies the version quoted. Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-05-13/debate/main Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:56+00:00 Sitting date: 2026-05-13