MINISTER FOR JUSTICE Jim O’Callaghan has published a bill that would allow for the taking of oral testimony in Irish courts as part of the UK government’s inquiry into the 1998 Omagh bombing perpetrated by the Real IRA. 

The independent public inquiry into the bombing was established in 2024 with the aim of determinig if UK authorities could have prevented the explosion that killed 29 people. 

The International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill 2026 publihsed by the Department of Justice today after it was approved by the government last Monday.

According to the Department, the Bill provides “a bespoke legal mechanism to facilitate the taking of sworn testimony from State bodies and former ministerial office holders before a judge of the High Court”.

The Bill is modelled on the mechanism contained in the Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 2019, which enabled the taking of oral testimony for the purposes of UK troubles-related inquests.

The Department said the new Bill includes new features “aimed at maximising the evidential opportunities” available to the inquiry’s chairman. 

O’Callaghan said that presenting the Bill represented “another important milestone in delivering on the Government’s commitment to facilitating and supporting the work of the Omagh Inquiry” and that he hopes to see it passed into law before the summer.

“Our commitment, alongside that of the UK government, is essential to addressing the enormous impact of Troubles-related violence and the legitimate needs and expectations of victims’ families and survivors who have long searched for truth and accountability,” O’Callaghan said.  

“Assisting an inquiry established under the law of another sovereign state is legally complex and requires innovative solutions,” he said.