REAL IRA CHIEF LOSES COURT BATTLE
Real IRA chief loses court battle
By Claire McNeilly
RELATIVES of the 1998 Omagh bombing have welcomed the dismissal of an appeal by Real IRA boss Michael McKevitt.
Michael Gallagher said he was relieved that terror chief McKevitt failed to have his conviction overturned in the Republic's Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday.
Mr Gallagher said: "I lost my only son. I am absolutely delighted that the appeal has failed and that this man will serve a sentence. Losing his appeal forms part of the slow process that involves bringing these people to justice."
McKevitt was sentenced to 20 years in 2003 for directing terrorism and membership of an illegal organisation.
His lawyers had sought to have his conviction quashed by challenging the credibility of FBI secret agent David Rupert, the main prosecution witness.
Mr Rupert, a businessman who came to Ireland and began to mix in republican circles, became an agent after the Omagh bombing. He also provided information to British intelligence.
Mr Gallagher said: "It was alleged that David Rupert was unreliable, but I found him very credible. It is a good thing that McKevitt's appeal failed and now I feel it is a more reliable conviction."
McKevitt (54), from Blackrock, Co Louth, was the first person to be convicted in the Republic for the offence which was introduced after the 1998 Real IRA bomb attack in Omagh.
The explosion claimed the lives of 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins.
He also received a six years concurrent prison sentence for membership of an illegal organisation which the court said was the Real IRA.
Mr Gallagher, who is chairman and spokesperson for the Omagh Victims Group, added: "We are looking forward to the end of all criminal cases so that we can start legal action next year.
"Vengeance wouldn't be part of what I believe because I don't think it serves any purpose, but law and order needs to be seen to be working.
"McKevitt needs to serve the sentence he got. It's not only a deterrent; it's important to take dangerous people like that off the streets."
By Claire McNeilly
RELATIVES of the 1998 Omagh bombing have welcomed the dismissal of an appeal by Real IRA boss Michael McKevitt.
Michael Gallagher said he was relieved that terror chief McKevitt failed to have his conviction overturned in the Republic's Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday.
Mr Gallagher said: "I lost my only son. I am absolutely delighted that the appeal has failed and that this man will serve a sentence. Losing his appeal forms part of the slow process that involves bringing these people to justice."
McKevitt was sentenced to 20 years in 2003 for directing terrorism and membership of an illegal organisation.
His lawyers had sought to have his conviction quashed by challenging the credibility of FBI secret agent David Rupert, the main prosecution witness.
Mr Rupert, a businessman who came to Ireland and began to mix in republican circles, became an agent after the Omagh bombing. He also provided information to British intelligence.
Mr Gallagher said: "It was alleged that David Rupert was unreliable, but I found him very credible. It is a good thing that McKevitt's appeal failed and now I feel it is a more reliable conviction."
McKevitt (54), from Blackrock, Co Louth, was the first person to be convicted in the Republic for the offence which was introduced after the 1998 Real IRA bomb attack in Omagh.
The explosion claimed the lives of 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins.
He also received a six years concurrent prison sentence for membership of an illegal organisation which the court said was the Real IRA.
Mr Gallagher, who is chairman and spokesperson for the Omagh Victims Group, added: "We are looking forward to the end of all criminal cases so that we can start legal action next year.
"Vengeance wouldn't be part of what I believe because I don't think it serves any purpose, but law and order needs to be seen to be working.
"McKevitt needs to serve the sentence he got. It's not only a deterrent; it's important to take dangerous people like that off the streets."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0988
Published Date: 10-Dec-05
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