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FINALLY NAILED BUT IT COST $1.25 MILLION FOR EVIDENCE

Finally nailed - but it cost $1.25 million for evidence
By ALAN ERWIN and LOUISA NESBITT

RUTHLESS terror chief Michael McKevitt faces up to 20 years in jail after being convicted of masterminding the organisation behind the Omagh bomb outrage.
Once a close associate of Sinn Fein leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness before he defected in disgust at their role in the peace process, McKevitt was found guilty in Dublin yesterday of directing terrorism and membership of the Real IRA.
The fanatical republican was damned on the evidence of star prosecution witness David Rupert.
The US trucking boss turned FBI and MI5 spy infiltrated the terrorist's bloody operation in a daring undercover operation for which he was paid $1.25 million.
The judges decided that Rupert's frightening account of McKevitt's plans could not be ignored.
Mr Justice Richard Johnson said: "David Rupert is a truthful witness and his credibility has in no way been impugned."
Detectives in Dublin and Belfast said McKevitt's conviction was a shattering blow to the tiny breakaway group, while relatives said the verdict would strengthen their £10 million civil action against McKevitt and four other men they blame for the worst atrocity in 30 years of violence.
No-one has been charged with the attack that killed 29 people but, with the fifth anniversary next week, families said the conviction was a major step in their fight for justice.
McKevitt, who refused to leave his holding cell to hear his fate, later sent out a defiant message that he would be appealing against his conviction.
Stanley McCombe, whose wife Ann died in the explosion, said: "The net is closing in on the Omagh bombers.
"Having come this far, we cannot let them get away."
He was among relatives of half a dozen victims sweating in Dublin's packed and humid Special Criminal Court as the verdict was delivered.
Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son was killed in Omagh, expressed dismay that the charges did not cover the atrocity.
He said: "I am very bitter, very disappointed. There is no doubt that this man, who was the senior member of the Real IRA, had responsibility."
He added that he was delighted that the scheming republican paramilitary had finally been put behind bars.
"He cannot orchestrate another atrocity such as Omagh, Mr Gallagher said.
Victor Barker, a lawyer whose 12-year-old son, James, died in the bombing, also hit out bitterly at the father-of-five terrorist.
He said: "You've got your son. I haven't got mine."
Laurence Rush, who lost his wife, Elizabeth, in the explosions, said McKevitt may now experience a fraction of the anguish suffered by the Omagh families.
"I am not being vengeful or vindictive but he might get a sentence which is parallel to the sentence he has given us in Omagh.
"I am sure he will now feel what we felt. You make your bed and you lie in it. The judge will decide how long he will lie in it."
McKevitt, 53, of Blackrock, Dundalk, is the first person to be found guilty of directing terrorism in the Republic.
He is due to be sentenced today and can expect a mandatory life sentence of up to 20 years.


Further Information

Publisher: NEWS LETTER

Ref: NL/467

Published Date: 07-Aug-03

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