Statement on measures to support the disclosure of Irish State materials to the Omagh Bombing Inquiry
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 12 Samhain 2025
The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan T.D. has taken two initiatives to support the operation of the Memorandum of Understanding agreed with the Chairman of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry in relation to the disclosure of Irish State materials on 15 April 2025.
On 10 November 2025 the Minister signed Regulations under section 2B of the Data Protection Act 1988 to support the disclosure of personal data to the Inquiry by his Department in its role as the central contact point for receiving and handling requests for materials from the Inquiry. The Minister made the Regulations on the grounds of the substantial public interest in assisting the Inquiry investigating whether the bombing in the town of Omagh on the 15 August 1998 could have been prevented by United Kingdom state authorities.
The Minister also obtained the approval of Government this morning to issue a directive to the Garda Commissioner under section 37 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 to support the co-operation by An Garda Síochána with the Memorandum of Understanding, and in particular, the processing of personal data in connection with the operation of the Memorandum.
All materials disclosed to the Inquiry will be treated in accordance with the terms of the Memorandum.
The taking of these further steps reflects the Government’s decision in July 2024 to assist the Inquiry to the extent that is permissible under the Constitution and laws of the State. The Programme for Government reiterates that commitment, stating that we will “play our full part in legacy processes… including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry.”
Commenting on the initiatives taken the Minister said:
“The signing of the agreement with the Chairman of the Inquiry last April was an important step forward in delivering on the Government’s commitment to facilitating and supporting the work of the Inquiry. That is in the best interests of the victims’ families and survivors and their quest for truth and justice.
“These further initiatives will support the operation of the Memorandum and the on-going work of my department, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána and other departments and agencies, of furnishing potentially relevant materials to the Inquiry to enable it to discharge its terms of reference.”
The Minister noted that An Garda Síochána, as the principal repository of relevant materials, has a dedicated team in place supported by national and divisional resources as required to ensure the timely provision of assistance to the Inquiry.
The Minister, referring to the legal complexities of Ireland, as a sovereign state, assisting an inquiry established under the laws of another sovereign state, said that engagement will continue with the Inquiry to find solutions consistent with Irish law to fulfil the Government’s commitment to assisting the Inquiry. This includes the giving of oral testimony for the purposes of the Inquiry.
In this regard the Minister noted that
“In line with the Government Legislation Programme, I anticipate bringing proposals to Government shortly to provide for the taking of oral evidence from witnesses for the purposes of the Inquiry.”
Notes to editors
The Inquiry was established by the UK Government on 21 February 2024 to investigate whether the bombing could have been prevented by UK State authorities. Its terms of reference are available on the Inquiry's website.
The Government decided on 9 July 2024 to assist the Inquiry and signalled that intention at the preliminary hearing of the Inquiry on 30 July 2024.
Minister O’Callaghan, on behalf of the Government, and the Chairman of the Inquiry Lord Turnbull signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the disclosure of materials on 15 April 2025. A copy of the Memorandum is available here
Similar initiatives have been taken by the Government previously to support UK- legacy process including for example Operation Denton, part of the Kenova Structure established by the UK Government to allow for independent investigation and /or review of certain Troubles-related cases.
The Regulations will be published on www.irishstatutebook.ie.
