�800,000 NEARER TO SEEING JUSTICE
�800,000 nearer to seeing justice
Vast majority in Northern Ireland and beyond want to see case brought to court - Murphy
THE bid by the Omagh bomb victims' families to bring a civil action against those suspected of the 1998 atrocity may go ahead as early as next year.
Yesterday, Secretary of State Paul Murphy announced that the Government is to give the fighting fund a massive cash boost of �800,000.
Relatives were celebrating last night the major leap forward in their bid to force five men suspected of being behind the attack into court.
The Government's move was hailed as "fantastic, unbelievable news" by Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son, Aidan, was among the 29 people and two unborn twins killed in the Real IRA bombing.
The cash injection to the families' legal fund will enable relatives to pursue their claim for �10 million in damages against a group of suspects which includes Real IRA terror boss Michael McKevitt, who was jailed for 20 years in the Republic yesterday for directing terrorism.
After months of consultation with the Department for Constitutional Affairs, Mr Murphy confirmed that the Government had found a way to help the relatives pay the �1.5 million legal costs.
"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," he said.
"The magnificent scale of the financial donations from the public to date supports that view.
"I am delighted to be able to say that these efforts have borne fruit.
"I have discussed the families' concerns with the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, and he has found a way to give the families the money they need to fight their case."
The Omagh bombing was the worst atrocity in Northern Ireland's history.
The Real IRA car bomb devastated the town centre on August 15,1998, claiming victims from the Republic and Spain as well as Northern Ireland.
In January, 2002, father-of-four Colm Murphy became the only person to be convicted of plotting the attack.
The Special Criminal Court in Dublin sentenced the Dundalk-based builder and publican to 14 years in jail.
Last summer, solicitors acting on behalf of the Omagh Victims' Civil Action Group served writs on five people suspected of involvement in the bombing.
The legal documents were given to Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, and Colm Murphy in Portlaoise Jail.
Solicitor Jason McCue visited Dundalk last July to serve writs on two other people, Seamus Daly and Seamus McKenna.
Neither of them was present and the writs were either handed to relatives or posted through the door.
In February, the families also subpoenaed Sinn Fein MPs Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Pat Doherty to appear in court during the civil action, along with leading Belfast republicans Brian Gillen and Brian Keenan.
Mr Gallagher said last night that he believed the gesture would "go a long way towards giving the families justice."
"It takes an enormous burden off our shoulders."
He called on the Irish government to make a similar gesture.
Victor Barker, whose 12-year-old son, James, was a victim of the bombing, said that, if the Government was prepared to fund the case all the way to court, this was 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."
Former Ulster Secretary Peter Mandelson, who has campaigned on behalf of the families, said: "The Government has done right by Omagh victims' families and I am pleased at this decision."
Vast majority in Northern Ireland and beyond want to see case brought to court - Murphy
THE bid by the Omagh bomb victims' families to bring a civil action against those suspected of the 1998 atrocity may go ahead as early as next year.
Yesterday, Secretary of State Paul Murphy announced that the Government is to give the fighting fund a massive cash boost of �800,000.
Relatives were celebrating last night the major leap forward in their bid to force five men suspected of being behind the attack into court.
The Government's move was hailed as "fantastic, unbelievable news" by Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son, Aidan, was among the 29 people and two unborn twins killed in the Real IRA bombing.
The cash injection to the families' legal fund will enable relatives to pursue their claim for �10 million in damages against a group of suspects which includes Real IRA terror boss Michael McKevitt, who was jailed for 20 years in the Republic yesterday for directing terrorism.
After months of consultation with the Department for Constitutional Affairs, Mr Murphy confirmed that the Government had found a way to help the relatives pay the �1.5 million legal costs.
"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," he said.
"The magnificent scale of the financial donations from the public to date supports that view.
"I am delighted to be able to say that these efforts have borne fruit.
"I have discussed the families' concerns with the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, and he has found a way to give the families the money they need to fight their case."
The Omagh bombing was the worst atrocity in Northern Ireland's history.
The Real IRA car bomb devastated the town centre on August 15,1998, claiming victims from the Republic and Spain as well as Northern Ireland.
In January, 2002, father-of-four Colm Murphy became the only person to be convicted of plotting the attack.
The Special Criminal Court in Dublin sentenced the Dundalk-based builder and publican to 14 years in jail.
Last summer, solicitors acting on behalf of the Omagh Victims' Civil Action Group served writs on five people suspected of involvement in the bombing.
The legal documents were given to Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, and Colm Murphy in Portlaoise Jail.
Solicitor Jason McCue visited Dundalk last July to serve writs on two other people, Seamus Daly and Seamus McKenna.
Neither of them was present and the writs were either handed to relatives or posted through the door.
In February, the families also subpoenaed Sinn Fein MPs Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Pat Doherty to appear in court during the civil action, along with leading Belfast republicans Brian Gillen and Brian Keenan.
Mr Gallagher said last night that he believed the gesture would "go a long way towards giving the families justice."
"It takes an enormous burden off our shoulders."
He called on the Irish government to make a similar gesture.
Victor Barker, whose 12-year-old son, James, was a victim of the bombing, said that, if the Government was prepared to fund the case all the way to court, this was 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."
Former Ulster Secretary Peter Mandelson, who has campaigned on behalf of the families, said: "The Government has done right by Omagh victims' families and I am pleased at this decision."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/475
Published Date: 09-Aug-03
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