LITHUANIANS CLAIM BROTHER WAS BEHIND PLOT
Lithuanians claim brother was behind plot
MICHAEL Campbell's brother Liam is the man Lithuanian authorities claim masterminded the plot to bring a massive haul of weapons to Northern Ireland to arm the Real IRA. The Co Louth republican is a former member of the Provisional IRA and was at one time subject to an exclusion order banning him from entering Northern Ireland. He defected from the Provisionals in 1997 along with Michael McKevitt to form the breakaway RIRA.
Campbell was one of five men found liable for the 1998 Omagh bombing in a landmark civil case taken by the relatives of 12 of the atrocity's 29 victims. He is on remand in Maghaberry prison fighting extradition to the Baltic state.
The 47-year-old was arrested by the PSNI when he crossed the border from the his home in Upper Faughart. Dundalk, in May 2009 on an international arrest warrant. He was originally placed on the republican landing of the top security prison.
However, In October last year he was moved to the Special Secure Unit after the prison governor was told he was under threat from his former associates In the RIRA. The move came after the RIRA leadership expelled him from the organisation, accusing him of "unrepubllcan conduct". At the time republican sources say the grievances went much deeper and are centred around a clash of egos and a refusal by the Co Louth man to relinquish control of weaponry.
He will appear in Belfast Crown Court next month to fight plans to extradite him to Lithuania where his younger brother Michael was yesterday sentenced to 12 years in Jail for his part in the gun running plot.
If sent to the eastern European state he faces up to 20 years In prison for being the alleged leader of the arms smuggling operation.
lawyers acting for the Co Louth republican are to argue the illegality of the extradition on the grounds that the standard of human right in Lithuania falls far short of what Is considered
acceptable.
Prisons In Lithuania are badly overcrowded and disease is rife among inmates who are locked up 23 hours a day.
A range of experts from the country are to fly to Belfast to give evidence on Campbell's behalf during the hearing which is expected to last several weeks.
MICHAEL Campbell's brother Liam is the man Lithuanian authorities claim masterminded the plot to bring a massive haul of weapons to Northern Ireland to arm the Real IRA. The Co Louth republican is a former member of the Provisional IRA and was at one time subject to an exclusion order banning him from entering Northern Ireland. He defected from the Provisionals in 1997 along with Michael McKevitt to form the breakaway RIRA.
Campbell was one of five men found liable for the 1998 Omagh bombing in a landmark civil case taken by the relatives of 12 of the atrocity's 29 victims. He is on remand in Maghaberry prison fighting extradition to the Baltic state.
The 47-year-old was arrested by the PSNI when he crossed the border from the his home in Upper Faughart. Dundalk, in May 2009 on an international arrest warrant. He was originally placed on the republican landing of the top security prison.
However, In October last year he was moved to the Special Secure Unit after the prison governor was told he was under threat from his former associates In the RIRA. The move came after the RIRA leadership expelled him from the organisation, accusing him of "unrepubllcan conduct". At the time republican sources say the grievances went much deeper and are centred around a clash of egos and a refusal by the Co Louth man to relinquish control of weaponry.
He will appear in Belfast Crown Court next month to fight plans to extradite him to Lithuania where his younger brother Michael was yesterday sentenced to 12 years in Jail for his part in the gun running plot.
If sent to the eastern European state he faces up to 20 years In prison for being the alleged leader of the arms smuggling operation.
lawyers acting for the Co Louth republican are to argue the illegality of the extradition on the grounds that the standard of human right in Lithuania falls far short of what Is considered
acceptable.
Prisons In Lithuania are badly overcrowded and disease is rife among inmates who are locked up 23 hours a day.
A range of experts from the country are to fly to Belfast to give evidence on Campbell's behalf during the hearing which is expected to last several weeks.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/1058
Published Date: 22-Oct-11
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