Bill on Omagh probe testimony approved
The Government has backed the publication of a bill that will allow oral testimony to be taken before the Irish courts for the purposes of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry.
The inquiry, which is being chaired by Lord Alan Turnbull, is investigating whether the bombing could have been prevented by British state authorities.
The Department of Justice said that the International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill 2026 would be published later this week.
Sworn testimony
The Government decided last December to approve the priority drafting of the bill to support its enactment in advance of the inquiry’s first evidential hearings this year.
It provides a bespoke legal mechanism to facilitate the taking of sworn testimony from State bodies and former ministerial office-holders before a judge of the High Court.
The department says that the bill’s approach is modelled on the mechanism contained in the Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 2019 to enable the taking of oral testimony for the purposes of Troubles-related inquests outside the State.
New features include extending the mechanism to other State bodies – in addition to An Garda Síochána – and to both current and past members of An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces and departmental officials, and to former ministerial office-holders.
Questions
Core participants in the inquiry – including family members and survivors and their legal representatives – will be facilitated to be present and hear first-hand the evidence given before the High Court judge.
The new features also enable the chair or counsel to the Inquiry to ask questions to clarify evidence given by a witness to the judge.
“This legislation relating to oral testimony will add to the suite of measures already implemented,” said Minister Jim O’Callaghan.
This includes a memorandum of understanding signed with the inquiry chair last April relating to the disclosure of Irish State materials, and data-protection regulations to enable the disclosure of sensitive personal data to the inquiry.
“The need for any further action to be taken by the Government in the course of, or following the conclusion of the inquiry, will be kept under review,” the minister stated.