Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has voted to call for the prevention of Liam Campbell’s extradition to Lithuania where he is wanted on alleged criminal matters.

Although unconnected to the extradition proceedings, he was found civilly liable for the Omagh bomb in August 1998, which claimed the lives of 29 people (including a woman pregnant with twins) and injured 220 others.

The issue was rapidly put through at the monthly Policy and Resources Committee meeting, chaired by Councillor Stephen McCann, who refused to allow open debate and when some members tried, he moved into confidential business, ordering the recording to be stopped.

Independent Councillor Bernice Swift proposed two items clearly stressing they were: “Strictly under human rights.”

In the first she said: “Councillors will be aware of the ‘No More Delays’ campaign whereby the British Secretary of State Brandon Lewis is stalling on legacy proposals which have already been agreed. Most elected representatives will have been involved with victims through the Troubles in their respective constituencies and as we all know, families have a right to the truth on how their relatives were killed. I am stating clearly and asking the support of the corporate chamber that London must act on these legacy proposals and create no more delays for the truth for all victims.

This was seconded by Independent Councillor Eamon Keenan and passed unanimously.

Councillor Swift’s second proposal however became contentious.

She said: “Sticking strictly with human rights issue, this is on the extradition of Liam Campbell, in which there is a campaign ongoing. I ask council to contact the relevant departments to prevent this extradition to Lithuania. He is an Irish citizen and we all know the track record of the Lithuanian prison regime. Previous High Courts have already contended that judgement is a breach of his human rights. We wouldn’t want to see anyone from this country having to be treated in such inhumane terms and conditions. As an elected representative, I wish to protect the fundamental human and civil rights of anybody against abuses. I I ask for support to stop that extradition and (council) write to the departments on behalf of Liam and his family.”

This was seconded by Councillor Sheamus Greene, Sinn Fein.

Current Council Chair Councillor Chris Smyth, attending the meeting as a member enquired: “Is this the same Liam Campbell who has been civilly convicted of the Omagh bombing? I understand it is.”

Councillor Swift replied: “I’m not here to answer these questions and as previous Chairs have already known, we like to stick to the focus of the proposals. I’m strictly speaking on the human rights to stop the extradition of Liam Campbell. I would ask the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council would kindly do the same.”

With both matters proposed and seconded the Chair asked if all were agreed, and as much consternation followed, he decided to take it to a vote.

No further debate was permitted, despite several trying to speak out, although in voting against, Councillor Bert Wilson, Ulster Unionist was able to say, “Two of my neighbours were killed …”, before he was cut off by the Chair.

The vote came in at 23 in favour, 14 against, with one abstention.

Democratic Unionist, Councillor Deborah Erskine, her voice breaking with emotion said: “I’m, really disappointed by how that went. I wasn’t fully in agreement with the first proposal either. It’s upsetting that innocent victims are denied their rights to a pension. I do not believe that terrorists or people who decided to go out and kill should be rewarded, for doing wrong.”

The Chair acknowledged several members wished to speak but the vote passed so he was moving on and sought a proposer and seconder to go into confidential business.

Councillor Errol Thompson, Democratic Unionist requested to speak, but was refused.

Several others were silenced and in the flurry, Councillor Chris McCaffrey, Sinn Fein proposed confidential business, swiftly seconded by party colleague Pádraigín Kelly.

Councillor Thompson again attempted to speak but the Chair ordered the recording to be stopped, closing down any further commentary.

The matter will now go to a full meeting of council for ratification.

A statement released today (Thursday) from the SDLP Fermanagh and Omagh Council Group leader, Mary Garrity said: “The decision to support this motion at a Fermanagh and Omagh District Council committee meeting was wrong. I acknowledge the pain and hurt the decision has caused this morning, particularly to the Omagh bomb families and I want to apologise unreservedly.

“When the matter comes before the full council for ratification, SDLP Councillors will oppose the motion. The SDLP has opposed violence and the perpetrators of violence for fifty years, it was never our intention to cause additional hurt to victims and as a council group, we regret that.”