There is real hope and cautious skepticism among those who lost loved ones in the 1998 Omagh bombing as the long awaited public inquiry into the worst atrocity of the Troubles gets underway.
Tuesday’s first hearing of the independent inquiry, held at Omagh’s Strule Arts Centre a short walk from the site of the devastating Real IRA blast, is the beginning of yet another long journey for victims’ families, but one that many feel can finally bring a sliver of closure after more almost 26 years of heartache.
That hope stems from the confidence of its chair, Lord Turnbull, in pursuing the work of the inquiry “rigorously and fearlessly”, and examining the main question that has long haunted relatives and survivors - could the snatching of 31 lives on a sunny August day by dissident republicans have been prevented?
The man who tirelessly led the campaign to reach this stage, and whose legal challenge ultimately prompted a High Court judge to rule a new probe should take place, feels the inquiry has got off to a positive start, with victims firmly at the forefront.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was 21 when he was killed in the attack, praised the “hugely respectful” prologue to the process that begins in earnest early next year, after the names of all victims were read out and a minute’s silence was held.
A recurring theme of the preliminary hearing, and one relatives and survivors will be closely scrutinising over the course of the coming inquiry, is the input of the Irish government in the process.
The hearing was told by a senior representative of the Republic’s Department of Foreign Affairs that Dublin was committed to actions including “additional new legislation” to ensuring “there is nothing left unanswered in our jurisdiction at the end of the inquiry”.
Families hope such assistance can also shine light on what could have been done across the border - where it is believed the bomb itself was prepared - to prevent the staggering loss of life.
The sister of one of the victims believes actions will speak louder than words, however.
Claire Monteith’s elder brother Alan was 16 when his promising life was cut short in the bombing.
“All I can say is I’m going to be very open minded about it from here on in, and put my faith, as Alan’s sister, into the process of the inquiry,” she told the Irish News after the hearing.
“I have a lot of reservations. I do welcome though the Irish government pledging they are going to be fully co-operative within this investigation process, because they have just not wanted to know anything to do with Omagh, or put their hands on Omagh for the past quarter of a century.”
She added on whether or not the full truth of the atrocity’s preventability will finally be revealed: “I’m very skeptical; we have heard so many things being said - words being said - but there has been very little action, and until that’s done I will keep on the back foot.”
Outside of the Strule Arts Centre, with the weather matching the mood - strong rays of hope occasionally blocked by ominous clouds of doubt - locals went about their day with memories remaining vivid as another anniversary of the bombing looms.
Beth Wylie said the horror was “still fresh” in her mind, but the inquiry’s launch was a very welcome milestone.
“It has been a long time coming,” she said.
“It would be nice to see co-operation across the island as the inquiry tries to answer our questions.”
Geraldine Williams said the truth had not yet been “allowed to come into the light”.
“The longer it has went on without answers, the harder it is for people here to have hope,” she said.
Meanwhile, Joseph Sloan recalled how the joy of summer was cruelly shredded for the Co Tyrone market town all those years ago.
“I was supposed to be doing a barbeque that night,” he said.
“I got back to my sisters and her husband came in and his t-shirt was covered in blood. I couldn’t understand it.”
He described his brother-in-law laughing in a state of pure shock as they frantically asked him what had happened, and he told his loved ones the fateful words that changed the lives for so many families that day: “There’s been a bomb in the middle of the town.”
