Councillors set to debate motion showing support for Omagh families after controversial vote over Liam Campbell

Councillors in Fermanagh and Omagh District Council are set to debate a motion tomorrow night which offers moral support to those left bereaved by the Omagh bombing.
By Adam Kula
Published 22nd Jul 2020, 16:29 BST
Updated 22nd Jul 2020, 16:36 BST
PACEMAKER BELFAST 15/08/98 The scene of devastation in Omagh back in August 15, 1998.PACEMAKER BELFAST 15/08/98 The scene of devastation in Omagh back in August 15, 1998.
PACEMAKER BELFAST 15/08/98 The scene of devastation in Omagh back in August 15, 1998.

The full council meeting, open to all 40 councillors from the area, is set to take place at 7pm.

It follows anger over a proposal which was previously debated by councillors, which saw a majority express opposition to the principle of extraditing Liam Campbell from the Republic to Lithuania over arms charges.

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Campbell was found liable in civil court for the Omagh bombing of 1998.

The proposal was initially backed by the SDLP (alongside republican councillors), but when it hit the headlines the party leadership immediately moved to distance the SDLP from the proposal, and to order its councillors to reverse their stance.

Thursday’s motion is proposed by UUP group leader Victor Warrington and states: “This council wishes to express its solidarity with the victims of the Omagh bombing, which took place on August 15, 1998, and their continuing efforts for justice.

“This council notes that Mr Liam Campbell was found civilly liable of this atrocity and is subject to extradition proceedings in the Republic of Ireland on separate terrorism charges.

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“The publicity surrounding this process has caused further pain and anguish amongst the victims and their relatives. In consequence of this, we propose that this council writes to the offices of An Taoiseach to speedily resolve this process owing to the effect that this is having on the people directly impacted locally.”

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