The worst atrocity in more than a quarter of a century of violence in Northern Ireland was commemorated at Omagh yesterday.
On a sunny afternoon in the town, five years ago, 29 people were killed and more than 220 injured by a 500 lb car bomb that was planted by the "Real IRA". One-third of those fatally injured were children, many of whom were enjoying the final day of the town's week-long carnival. The bulk of the remainder were women, attending the busy shopping centre. Catholics and Protestants were murdered indiscriminately.
It was a truly dreadful event and it was specifically designed to undermine the Belfast Agreement.
Since that awful day only one person has been found guilty of involvement in the bombing. Colm Murphy was convicted by the Special Criminal Court of conspiring to cause an explosion and is currently serving a 14-year jailterm. Last week, Michael McKevitt was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for directing the activities of the "Real IRA" at a time subsequent to the bombing. But police forces on both sides of the Border insist that investigations into the atrocity remain live and viable and there may yet be criminal convictions.
It is not enough for the families of the victims. The Omagh Support and Self-Help Group have initiated a civil action in the Belfast High Court against five named individuals, including McKevitt, whom they blame for the bombing. That case is due to be heard early next year. In an unprecedented move, the British Government supported the campaign and pledged a sum of £800,000 in grant-aid. But it declined to go along with demands for a full judicial investigation, such as that being conducted by Lord Saville into Bloody Sunday.
The Government has been criticised for its lack of support by Mr Michael Gallagher, a spokesman for the group. The responses received, he said, were not what they had been led to expect in the aftermath of the bombing. That may change, however. Yesterday, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said he was conscious of the suffering of the families and was committed to seeking justice for the victims. In that context, he referred to a forthcoming meeting between the families and the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, in September.
There are serious legal difficulties in providing details of Garda investigations to the families. And officials are naturally wary of funding civil actions. The Government should, however, adopt a more active and generous response. And there is no reason why court transcripts of the Murphy and McKevitt cases should not be provided.