It is
often the ordinary citizens who are the bravest around us when faced with unimaginable horrors. That particularly applies to the relatives of the Omagh bomb which killed 29 innocent people and unborn twins 10 years ago after a 500lb car bomb exploded in the market town one Saturday.
Today the families are seeking justice by launching a civil action in court against the five men they believe were responsible. It is the first time private citizens have confronted terrorists in court and it follows the failure of the authorities to bring anyone to justice for the bombing.
Opening the civil case Lord Daniel Brennan QC said:
“It is a civil claim unprecedented certainly in the UK and probably around the world. For the first time the victims of terrorism are suing the alleged perpetrators. For the first time private citizens are confronting terrorists in our courts.”
He said the case would expose the workings of the Real IRA and its lies.
One must applaud the bravery and courage of these families and their lawyers in doing what would have seen unimaginable a few days ago. It could set a precedent for other families who feel cheated of justice after losing loved ones at the hands of terrorists.
It’s ironic that this week marks the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, providing Northern Ireland’s divided society with a political framework to resolve its differences. This case will re-open many painful memories.
It means there will never be peace and reconciliation for the bereaved Omagh families until they have justice.
Such a travesty it is left for the victims families to seek justice through the courts on their own. So much for the great British justice system, huh?
Yes Ellee, I shall follow the proceedings with great interest.
Shrinky, the case has to be built on facts and evidence which a court should have supported. It’s shameful that the families have to take this action themselves.
Maalie, you and me together…
Good for the people on taking up the crusade that justice wouldn’t do for them.
“It is a civil claim unprecedented certainly in the UK and probably around the world. For the first time the victims of terrorism are suing the alleged perpetrators. For the first time private citizens are confronting terrorists in our courts.â€?
And if you are an Israeli family, how do you go about taking a civil action against the terrorists of Hamas or Hezbollah?
(Sorry to be a cynic on this one Ellee)
I’ll be taking an interest in the case too. I hope they are sucessful. Even though a civil action may require a lower standard of proof than a criminal one, it will at least go some way to giving the families of the bereaved some justice.
Yes, very brave of them indeed.
Heartbreaking what the families of the Pan Am 103 bombing have endured in trying to achieve Justice. Good post, Ellee.
Not only justice but closure, Ellee.
James, you are right, justice and closure are both so important.
Ah, nothing (not even mass killing) could be allowed to derail the Good Friday Agreement.
My instincts tell me that once a capitulist always so. This questionable trait has born another, potentially more sinister, terrorist organisation into our midst.