Omagh Bombing Inquiry
OngoingOmagh Inquiry
Statutory inquiry into whether the 15 August 1998 Real IRA bombing in Omagh — which killed 29 people and unborn twins — could reasonably have been prevented, focusing on intelligence sharing between UK and Irish state bodies. Chapter 3 substantive evidence hearings delayed as of January 2026. Irish government drafting legislation to allow Garda officers to give oral testimony.
2 years, 1 month
Duration (ongoing)
£12.2m
Total Cost
Parliamentary Activity 8 Click to expand
3 questions
since Jul 2016
19 Jan 2026
Early Day Motion
50th anniversary of the Blair Memorial Flute Band
Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party)
22 Jul 2025
Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party)
24 Apr 2025
22 Apr 2025
10 Mar 2025
View all 8 mentions →
Costs Click to expand
Total Inquiry Cost (Cumulative)
£12,206,267
to Dec 2025
Cumulative expenditure Apr 2024 – Dec 2025
Cost Breakdown (to Dec 2025)
Inquiry Legal Costs
£5,916,145
Panel remuneration & Counsel to the Inquiry
Core Participant Legal Costs
£2,985,932
Legal funding for core participants
Panel
£452,227
Staff
£987,458
Accommodation
£687,707
Technology
£415,144
Safeguarding
£11,060
Other
£750,592
Cumulative total calculated from FY2024-25 annual report plus Q1-Q3 FY2025-26 quarterly reports. Inquiry established Feb 2024; first financial data from April 2024 (FY24/25). Statutory inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 into the Omagh bombing of 15 August 1998 (29 killed plus unborn twins). Sponsored by the Northern Ireland Office. Inquiry legal costs cover counsel (11 appointed) and solicitors (Burges Salmon/Fieldfisher). Core participant costs are s.40 Inquiries Act 2005 legal representation at public expense. All figures inclusive of VAT (per FY25/26 quarterly reports; VAT treatment not stated in FY24/25 report). Q4 FY25/26 data not yet published; figures current to 31 December 2025.