IN/0702

Omagh victims seek new appeal

RELATIVES of the Omagh bomb victims yesterday began an action in the Special Criminal Court in Dublin seeking documentation to help their £10 million claim against those suspected of carrying out the 1998 bombing.
Lawyers for the relatives applied to the court for transcripts and books of evidence relating to a number of recent trials at the court involving men who are named in the Belfast High Court action.
The relatives are taking the action against Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy, Seamus Daly, another man currently awaiting trial on explosives charges and the Real IRA.
The Belfast court action is due to start next January and former FBI agent David Rupert, who gave evidence in the trial of Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt in Dublin last year, will be one of the witnesses called by the relatives legal team.
The Omagh bombing which was claimed by the Real IRA killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, and injured more than 300 in August, 1998.
Michael McKevitt (54), of Beech Park, Blackrock, Co Louth was jailed for 20 years last August for directing the activities of a terrorist organisation and for membership of an illegal organisation.
Colm Murphy (51), of Jordan's Corner, Ravensdale, Co Louth was jailed for 14 years in January 2002 after he was convicted of conspiracy to cause an explosion between August 13th and 16th, 1998.
Liam Campbell (41), of Upper Faughart, Dundalk, Co Louth was sentenced to eight years imprisonment last May for membership of the Real IRA on separate dates in 2000 and 2001.
Seamus Daly (33), of Culloville, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan was jailed for three and half years last May after he pleaded guilty to membership of the Real IRA on November 20th, 2000.
Yesterday Lord Daniel Brennan QC said: "This is a most unusual application. The civil claim in the north is possibly unique. This is a totally unique case that merits an exception approach by the court."