BY TOMMY NETHERY

A STAGGERING £22.7 million in criminal injury compensation has been paid out to those affected by the Omagh bomb, it has been revealed. Figures sourced by the UH show the Compensation Agency received 852 claims for criminal damages in the aftermath of the tragedy which claimed 31 lives, including two unborn, on August 15, 1998.

Of those, 16 are still waiting to be resolved, although 14 of the claimants have received interim payments totalling £623,000. The remaining two didn't request interim payment.

Commenting on the figures Michael Gallagher, chairman of the Omagh Self Help Group, said the figures demonstrated the enormity of the tragedy and how many people's lives had been affected.

"It's certainly a substantial amount of money but I would like to see a more detailed breakdown of the Compensation Agency figures. How much has been paid out to those bereaved, those injured and to business people for damage to property."

In recent days, one of the 16 who has yet to receive settlement, declined to go on the record, but indicated that she was totally frustrated by the fact that, almost nine years after she was seriously injured in the Real IRA atrocity, her compensation claim had not yet been settled.

The survivor, who spent two prolonged spells in hospital because of horrific injuries sustained in the bombing, said she was unable to bring closure to that horrendous period and was unable to move on.

Mr Gallagher said that it was important for such individuals and their families that the outstanding compensation issues are settled as a matter of urgency.

"It's a scandal that nearly nine years on, some people are still waiting to be facilitated by the Compensation Agency. How much longer do these individuals have to put their life on hold?"