OMAGH FAMILIES IN LEGAL BATTLE CASH BOOST
Omagh families in legal battle cash boost.
Government to fund civil case agaianst five suspects.
By Jonathan McCambridge
THE families of the Omagh bomb victims were today a step closer to justice after the Government provided the money they need to force those suspected of the atrocity into court. Secretary of State Paul Murphy has said the families will receive the �800,000 they need to fund a civil action against five men, including convicted terror boss Michael McKevitt.
It is almost five years since 29 people and unborn twins were killed in the Real IRA bombing of the Co Tyrone town.
No-one has ever been convicted and the civil action had been in doubt because of costs until the Government's intervention yesterday.
After months of consultation with the Department for Constitutional Affairs, Mr Murphy confirmed the Government had found a way to help the relatives pay the �1.5m legal costs.
He said: "While I recognise the legal constraints and complexities, I have always believed that this is an exceptional case and the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland and beyond want to see the families bring it to court."
Victor Barker, whose 12-year-old son died in the bombing, described the decision as "wonderful news".
"This particular case is of public significance," he said. "It is the public saying to people engaged in terrorism that they no longer want that path to be followed."
DUP leader Ian Paisley said the Government should go even further and meet all legal costs. "I am calling on the Government to ensure that the Omagh families are fully legal aided and that they are in a position to have legal costs met in full," he said.
Earlier this week a court in Dublin sentenced McKevitt to 20 years in prison for directing terrorism and being a Real IRA member for a terror campaign carried out after Omagh.
Government to fund civil case agaianst five suspects.
By Jonathan McCambridge
THE families of the Omagh bomb victims were today a step closer to justice after the Government provided the money they need to force those suspected of the atrocity into court. Secretary of State Paul Murphy has said the families will receive the �800,000 they need to fund a civil action against five men, including convicted terror boss Michael McKevitt.
It is almost five years since 29 people and unborn twins were killed in the Real IRA bombing of the Co Tyrone town.
No-one has ever been convicted and the civil action had been in doubt because of costs until the Government's intervention yesterday.
After months of consultation with the Department for Constitutional Affairs, Mr Murphy confirmed the Government had found a way to help the relatives pay the �1.5m legal costs.
He said: "While I recognise the legal constraints and complexities, I have always believed that this is an exceptional case and the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland and beyond want to see the families bring it to court."
Victor Barker, whose 12-year-old son died in the bombing, described the decision as "wonderful news".
"This particular case is of public significance," he said. "It is the public saying to people engaged in terrorism that they no longer want that path to be followed."
DUP leader Ian Paisley said the Government should go even further and meet all legal costs. "I am calling on the Government to ensure that the Omagh families are fully legal aided and that they are in a position to have legal costs met in full," he said.
Earlier this week a court in Dublin sentenced McKevitt to 20 years in prison for directing terrorism and being a Real IRA member for a terror campaign carried out after Omagh.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0901
Published Date: 09-Aug-03
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