Northern Ireland secretary set to push back deadline to hold Stormont election

Omagh: Government orders inquiry into Northern Ireland’s deadliest tragedy

The UK’s Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has ordered an independent inquiry into the Omagh bombing. A dissident republican bomb exploded in the County Tyrone town on 15th August 1998. Twenty-nine people were killed, including a woman pregnant with twins, making it the deadliest single event of the Troubles. The British government’s decision comes after a 2021 ruling into a judicial review brought by Michael Gallagher - father of 21-year-old Aiden who died in the bombing. Mr Justice Horner recommended that the British government carry out an investigation into alleged security failings in the lead-up to the attack. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Independent statutory inquiry ordered into Omagh bombing

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris announces that an independent statutory inquiry into the 1998 Omagh bombing will take place. Speaking in the House of Commons, he says: “The inquiry will focus specifically on the four grounds which the court held as giving rise to plausible arguments that the bombing could have been prevented.” Report by Patelr. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

This Day in History: Elizabeth Becomes Queen

This Day in History:, Elizabeth Becomes Queen. February 6, 1952. After a long illness, King George VI of Great Britain and Northern Ireland died in his sleep. Princess Elizabeth was in Kenya at the time of her father’s death. Groomed as a young girl to succeed her father, she was crowned Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953, at age 27. From the start of her reign, Elizabeth understood the value of public relations. She insisted that her 1953 coronation be televised, despite objections that it would cheapen the ceremony. Elizabeth is the 40th British monarch since William the Conqueror. She is a popular figure around the world. She is only the fifth British monarch to celebrate more than 50 years on the throne. Queen Elizabeth is one of the world’s wealthiest women, with extensive real estate holdings and art and jewelry collections