Ruling due on whether to call republican councillor to testify

The Omagh inquest coroner will rule today on whether local republican councillor Mr Francis Mackey, chairman of the 32-County…

The Omagh inquest coroner will rule today on whether local republican councillor Mr Francis Mackey, chairman of the 32-County Sovereignty Movement, should be called to give evidence.

The coroner, Mr John Leckey, said he would make a decision after being passed a copy of a statement issued by the 32-County Sovereignty Movement. The movement has been linked to the "Real IRA".

The movement's statement said Mr Mackey had been formally notified that he would not be subpoenaed to give evidence and added that there was no need for him to be involved as he knew nothing about the "tragedy".

Mr Leckey told the inquest he had made no such decision. He said he had believed that no application would be made seeking to have Mr Mackey called to give evidence. This was despite earlier indications from Mr Michael Gallagher, the father of one of those killed, that he would seek to have Mr Mackey called.

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Mr Gallagher told the inquest last week that the 32-County Sovereignty Movement was "inextricably linked" to the "Real IRA" and he wanted to hear from it.

He was told then by Mr Leckey that he needed to make a full statement to the police detailing his reasons for wanting Mr Mackey to attend and he would consider it if a formal application was made.

The coroner said Mr Gallagher made this statement to the police, but because he had not raised the issue on the first day of the full inquest, Mr Leckey had "perhaps mistakenly" believed that Mr Gallagher did not wish to pursue the matter.

He asked Mr Gallagher if he wished to go ahead with the application and, when he confirmed that he did, Mr Leckey said he would rule at the inquest today.