Restriction Order for Redaction Hearings

Omagh Bombing Inquiry: Restriction Order Pursuant to Section 19 of the Inquiries Act 2005

The Chairman has the power under section 19 of the Inquiries Act 2005 (“the Act”) to make orders restricting attendance at a hearing and on the disclosure or publication of evidence and documents given, produced or provided to the Inquiry.

Any threat to break such an order, or any breach of it, can be certified to the High Court or Court of Session under section 36 of the Act, which will deal with it as though the breach had occurred in proceedings before that court, and may be punishable by a fine or committal to prison.

In exercise of the power, IT IS ORDERED THAT:

• There shall be a time delay of 10 minutes on the YouTube broadcast of the Inquiry’s legal argument hearing to be held on 21 May 2025 and any subsequent days.
• Unless express permission is given by the Inquiry Chairman, or the Solicitor to the Inquiry acting on his behalf, the matters discussed during the Inquiry’s legal argument hearing on 21 May 2025 must not published in any form, unless and until broadcast on the time delayed YouTube broadcast or, a transcript of the hearing is published on the Inquiry’s website.
• Any information that is removed from the time-delayed YouTube broadcast and/or redacted in the transcript published on the Inquiry’s website must not be repeated, disclosed or duplicated to any third party.
• This Order remains in force for the duration of the Inquiry and at all times thereafter, unless otherwise ordered.
• The Chairman of the Inquiry may vary or revoke this Order by making a further order during the course of the Inquiry

Dated: 13 May 2025