Omagh is a town in Northen Ireland and on August 15, 1998, it suffered a terror attack. It was the worst attack to happen in the 30 year long civil conflict known as the Troubles in Nothern Ireland. This dispute happened in the 60's when the majority (Protestant) of Northern Ireland wanted to stay in the UK, whereas the Catholic minority wanted to be a part of the Republic of Ireland. This declared a conflict between the IRA (Irish Republican army) and Protestant groups attacking each other.
However, in 1997, they declared a cease-fire. An agreement called the Good Friday agreement was made which had the steps to peace. On April 10, 1998, it was signed by both sides. Some IRA members did not agree with this document and joined a group called the Real IRA.
They decided to have a 500 pound bomb placed inside a car in Omagh in the market square. Since it was the last day of a carnival week, there were lots of people there. Around 2.30 pm the Omagh police received a call warning them of a bomb. However, they believed it was the other end of the street, near the courthouse, and so directed people towards the market. Just after 3pm the car exploded, destroying 2 buildings, killing 29 people (including a pregnant woman with twins) along with injuring over 200 people.
Before this, the IRA stance was that civilian deaths were regrettable but justified. However, the British Parliament passed laws that meant senior police officers could convict anyone they wanted. The Real IRA then issued an apology, claiming civilians were not the target.
The man and child survived, the photographer did not.
Information found here, here and here.
