These agreements would facilitate access to materials held in the Republic of Ireland and secure testimony from witnesses residing there.


The inquiry’s first public hearing occurred on Tuesday at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh. It is investigating whether the dissident republican bombing, which killed 29 people, including a pregnant woman with twins, could have been prevented.

There are allegations that the terrorists assembled the bomb in the Republic of Ireland and fled back across the border after placing it in Omagh on August 15th, 1998.


The inquiry was initiated last year by former Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, following a legal challenge by a family of one of the victims.


Belfast High Court judge Mr Justice Horner recommended that the British government investigate potential security failings leading up to the incident. While he could not mandate the Irish Government to act, he encouraged them to conduct their own investigation based on his findings.


Earlier this month, the Irish Cabinet formally agreed to assist with the inquiry.


Two senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs attended the inquiry hearing on Tuesday.


In his opening statement, Paul Greaney KC, counsel to inquiry chairman Alan Turnbull, stated that it is “highly likely, if not inevitable, that the state authorities within the Republic of Ireland hold evidence relevant to the inquiry’s terms of reference.” He emphasized that access to such materials and witnesses requires cooperation from the Irish Government.


Greaney noted that inquiry staff have had several meetings with Irish government officials and police, praising the “positive discussions.”

“The discussions have been positive, and the Government of Ireland has expressed a strong desire to fully cooperate with the inquiry,” Greaney said.


“The challenge is to translate the engagement so far into meaningful participation in the inquiry’s processes, both in the lead-up to and during evidence hearings. The inquiry team believes the Irish Government is committed to this goal.”


He concluded, “The inquiry’s objective is to ensure these discussions move into a practical phase where clear written agreements are established. This will ensure full access to any potentially relevant materials held by Irish state authorities and enable the inquiry to obtain statements and summon witnesses to provide evidence in person.”