A High Court ruling there was a ‘real prospect’ the Omagh bombing could have been prevented is a major vindication for the families, Alliance Councillor Stephen Donnelly has said.

Mr Justice Mark Horner also called for an investigation on both sides of the border over the 1998 bombing, after a case brought by Michael Gallagher, father of one of the victims. Omagh Councillor Mr Donnelly said those responsible still needed to face justice.

“We must not forget, dissident republicans were the cause of the Omagh bomb and are the ones who need brought before the courts to pay for their crime. That wider context still needs investigated. Alliance is proud to stand alongside the families in their desire to see this,” he said.

“My heart once again goes out to Michael Gallagher and the rest of the families of the victims of the Omagh bombing. They have a right to know the full facts about the tragic events of 15th August 1998,” he said.

“Today is a major vindication for the families and their ongoing campaign pursuit for truth and justice. The bombing was the darkest hour in the history of Omagh and its shadow persists to this day, here as well as the south and even as far as Spain, with heartbroken families. We have rebuilt the town and the proud shared community it is, and which this act of terror sought to destroy.

“This once again shows the fallacy of the UK Government’s proposals for an amnesty, especially as it is not clear if the Omagh bomb would be impacted, given it came after the Good Friday Agreement. If so, the Secretary of State could conceivably still rub salt into the wounds of the worst atrocity of our recent bloody history.”