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© Copyright, Omagh Bombing Inquiry 2025.

Special Advocate Hearings to Take Place in Belfast on 21 and 22 July

Published:

The Omagh Bombing Inquiry will hold procedural hearings next week regarding the use of Special Advocates in the Omagh Bombing Inquiry.

The hearings will take place on Monday 21 July and Tuesday 22 July at the Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry Hearing Centre in the Corn Exchange Building, 31 Gordon Street, Belfast. Please note The Inquiry may sit for an additional day on the 23 July if required.

More information on attending hearings at Corn Exchange Building is available in the Hearing Attendance Guide.

Hearings Attendance Guide: Corn Exchange Building

Given the nature of the material that the Omagh Bombing Inquiry is reviewing, it may be said some material may have implications on national security interests if it was to enter the public domain.  In such instances the Inquiry may, if the Chairman is satisfied that there is a risk of harm or damage to national security, sit in closed proceedings in which members of the public and some Core Participants, such as bereaved families and survivors, will not be permitted to attend.

In some of those types of closed hearing, there is a power available to appoint a Special Advocates to represent the interests of a party that is not otherwise able to attend. This hearing will review whether Special Advocates should be used as part of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry, and if they are used how they will work within the Inquiry.

No witnesses will be called, but legal representatives will make oral submissions during the hearings. The Chairman is not expected to make a ruling on the applications during the hearings themselves.

The hearings will be live streamed via the Inquiry’s YouTube Channel for those who wish to watch the proceedings online.

Notes to editor

  • The terms of reference to the Omagh Bombing Inquiry are available on the Inquiry’s website.
  • A restriction order made under section 19 of the Inquiries Act 2005 remains in force throughout the hearings. The order is available on the Inquiry’s website.
  • The list of the Core Participants is available on the Inquiry’s website.