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© Copyright, Omagh Bombing Inquiry 2025.

Omagh Bombing Inquiry issues ruling on redaction of documents

Published:

The Omagh Bombing Inquiry held a public hearing on 21 and 22 May 2025 in Belfast on the redaction of documents. The hearing was about two issues: an application from HM Government to redact junior civil servants’ names from all material disclosed to Core Participants; and an issue raised by the Police Service of Northern Ireland about the approach for the Inquiry to follow in determining whether to redact the names of any individuals appearing in documents who were suspects, either in relation to the Omagh bombing itself or in relation to certain other apparent terrorist acts. You can read more about that hearing on our website and watch the proceedings back on YouTube. 

Lord Turnbull has now issued his ruling, which you can read here. He has refused HM Government’s application to routinely redact the names of junior civil servants from material disclosed to Core Participants; and he has outlined the staged approach that will be taken by the Inquiry on the issue of redacting suspects’ names. 

The application, and the process of determining it, has taken considerable time and resource. During this time, disclosure of relevant material to Core Participants – and therefore the progress of the Inquiry – has been delayed. That material will now start to be disclosed to Core Participants, and the Inquiry can continue its work in delivering the Terms of Reference.