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Chapter Three Summary  

Published:

Introduction and Background  (Back to top)

This note outlines the Inquiry’s approach to Chapter 3 Hearings due to commence on 21 September 2026.  

The Omagh Bombing Inquiry is divided into 8 separate Chapters which will provide structure to the hearings. The full chapter list is available here on the Inquiry’s website. 

The Inquiry has already heard Chapters One and Two. Transcripts for these Chapters are available on the Inquiry’s website.   

Timings for subsequent chapter hearings are to be confirmed. 

Purpose  (Back to top)

Chapter 3 will be the first phase of the Inquiry to hear detailed factual evidence about the events surrounding the Omagh Bombing. The purpose of Chapter 3 is to establish how the Omagh Bombing was carried out and by whom. This will inform the approach in subsequent Chapters, which will examine what was known or could have been known in the context of the circumstances of the Omagh Bombing.    

To establish what methodology was adopted in carrying out the Omagh Bombing and who perpetrated it, based on overt material, Chapter 3 will involve a detailed exploration of what has been and can be established based on: 

  1. The construction of the bomb; 
  2. The movements of the car containing the bomb; 
  3. Warning calls; 
  4. Use of telephones; 
  5. Scientific evidence; 
  6. Any other relevant overt evidence. 
  7. Any claim of responsibility; 
  8. Arrests; 
  9. Subsequent court proceedings. 

Witnesses called to give evidence will include experts on forensics and cell site, those involved in investigations and proceedings that followed the Bombing and corporate witnesses on behalf of various state organisations. 

Chapter 3 Structure   (Back to top)

The Inquiry’s investigation is guided by its Terms of Reference and Provisional List of Issues.  

Chapter 3 will be subdivided into 10 Parts as set out below.  

Part 1: Introductory Remarks by Counsel to the Inquiry 

Counsel to the Inquiry will provide an introduction to the objectives of Chapter 3 and the evidence which is expected to be heard. 

Part 2: Introductory Evidence 

Evidence relating to the attribution of key telephone numbers relevant to Chapter 3 will be heard. 

Part 3: Events of 12 to 14 August 1998 

Evidence relating to the theft of the bomb car will be heard.  

Part 4: Events of 15 August 1998 (up to 14:28) 

Evidence relating to the movements of the bomb car and the scout car will be heard. 

Part 5: Events of 15 August 1998 (14:29 to 15:03) 

Evidence relating to the warning calls and the response will be heard. This will provide a factual overview rather than scrutinise or challenge actions taken on the day. 

None of the individual officers who were responsible for the evacuation of Omagh on 15 August 1998 will be called during Chapter 3. To the extent necessary, their evidence will be summarised. 

Part 6: Events of 15 August 1998 (15:04 and the immediate aftermath) 

Evidence relating to the explosion, its effects and the immediate responses of the emergency services and the British army will be heard.  

Part 6 does not intend to repeat evidence heard during the Chapter One Commemorative and Personal Statement hearings. Instead, it will place that evidence in context and support the Inquiry’s work for subsequent Chapters.  

Part 7: Post-detonation Investigations and Subsequent Processes 

Evidence relating to the key findings of the police investigation and subsequent processes will be heard. 

The Inquiry is not investigating the adequacy of either the police investigation or the subsequent processes but instead will identify information which arose from them which may be of assistance to the Inquiry’s investigation. 

Part 8: Subsequent Legal Proceedings 

Evidence relating to subsequent criminal and civil proceedings of relevance or potential relevance will be heard. 

Part 9: Linked Legislation 

Evidence relating to legislation relevant to the Omagh Bombing will be heard. 

Part 10: Key Suspects 

Evidence will be presented identifying key individuals who may have been involved in the Omagh Bombing and their likely roles. This will include material gathered during related criminal and civil proceedings. 

No determination of fact will be made during Chapter 3 as to who perpetrated the bombing. Instead, this material will assist the Inquiry in developing its understanding of who may have been involved and the roles they may have played. 

Under the Inquiries Act 2005, a statutory inquiry cannot make a finding of civil or criminal liability.  This means the Inquiry cannot decide whether any individual or organisation is legally responsible for the bombing. 

Chapter 3 Logistics  (Back to top)

Chapter 3 hearings will commence on the 21 September 2026 at the Inquiry Hearing Centre in Bradford Court, Belfast.  

The hearings are expected to last at least five weeks with the Inquiry normally sitting four days a week, Monday to Thursday.   

It is expected that the hearings will follow the below structure, please note that timings are subject to change:  

  • Week 1: 21 to 24 September – evidence to be heard on Parts 1 to 3 
  • Week 2: 28 September to 1 October– evidence to be heard on Parts 4 to 6 
  • Week 3: 5 to 8 October– evidence to be heard on Part 7 
  • Week 4: 12 to 15 October – evidence to be heard on Part 7 (cont.) 
  • Week 5: 9 to 12 November – evidence to be heard on Parts 8 to 10 

The weekly witness list for the hearings will be confirmed on the Friday before the evidence is heard the following week. 

Members of the public can attend subject to any Restriction Orders. The hearings will be streamed on a delay on the Inquiry’s YouTube channel. Evidence and transcripts will be published on the Inquiry’s website after each hearing day.