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McKevitt stays away from mother's funeral
By VICTORIA WARD

REAL IRA mastermind Michael McKevitt chose not to attend his mother's funeral yesterday after rejecting the terms of leave offered to him by the Prison Service.
His 86-year-old mother Ellen, known as Nellie, died earlier this week after a long illness and was buried yesterday in Dundalk, Co Louth.
But the 53-year-old dissident republican shunned the service despite seeking temporary leave from prison chiefs.
McKevitt is serving a 20-year jail term at Portlaoise prison after being convicted of directing terrorism following a huge trial in Dublin last August.
A Prison Service spokesman confirmed he had requested temporary leave to attend the funeral.
"We did try to facilitate him but he rejected the terms we offered which would have allowed him to attend the service and subsequent burial," he said.
"At the end of the day we have to be aware of the nature of the offence and security concerns."
Around 100 mourners attended the Requiem Mass at St Nicholas Church.
As the hearse pulled up a large crowd which had gathered outside filed slowly in, many carrying flowers.
At each door of the church at least three heavily-built men kept a careful eye on proceedings.
McKevitt was granted compassionate leave to visit his dying mother last month.
He is one of five people currently being sued for 14 million euro (£10million) in a landmark civil action by relatives of the 29 who were killed in the 1998 Omagh bombings.
Solicitors acting for the Omagh Victims Civil Action Group served writs on the five suspects in 2002.
Double-agent David Rupert is expected to testify against McKevitt.
His evidence was instrumental in securing the conviction of the terror boss last year.
The case is expected to be heard at Belfast High Court at the beginning of next year.