Overview

• Survivors and bereaved families of the 1998 Omagh bombing have formally applied for special advocates to represent them in the inquiry’s planned closed hearings.
• Lord Turnbull is presiding over this week’s sessions to weigh these applications and determine advocacy access for excluded participants.
• Counsel Paul Greaney KC confirmed that key security documents central to assessing whether the attack could have been prevented will be examined behind closed doors.
• Families warn that denying special advocates risks undermining confidence by excluding them from classified proceedings where their interests cannot be directly heard.
• Representatives for former RUC chief Sir Ronnie Flanagan indicated he may also seek independent representation if excluded from the same closed sessions.