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Bomb victims welcome Ahern move

OMAGH bomb victims last night praised a new move by Irish premier Bertie Ahern to release secret state papers for their multi-million pound civil action.
Relatives of those killed in the Real IRA massacre feared a landmark bid to sue five men they suspect of plotting the attack could be disrupted if vital trial transcripts are not disclosed.
Their concerns heightened after an attempt to gain access failed at Dublin's Special Criminal Court on Monday.
But Mr Ahern told the Dail yesterday that he would seek legal advice on transferring such documents to the National Archives before the traditional 30-year period.
His initiative was backed by Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was among 29 people and unborn twins killed in the August, 1998, atrocity.
Mr Gallagher is involved in the Omagh Victims' Civil Action Group £14 million case against Real IRA mastermind Michael McKevitt, Seamus Daly, Seamus McKenna, Liam Campbell and Colm Murphy.
He said: "The denial of those papers has the potential to stall the legal action, so I welcome the Taoiseach's intervention and hope it can be completed as soon as possible."
The case is still expected to be heard at the Northern Ireland High Court later this year.
But lawyers for the families have been pressing for the documents they insist are vital to their challenge,
At present, the action has reached the discovery stage and numerous applications are before the Dublin and Belfast courts.
Responding to a question from Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte, Mr Ahem had revealed that he would consult the Attorney General and the Irish justice minister, Michael McDowell, on the issue.
He said: "I appreciate the importance of the papers (but) I'm not aware of what the legal complexities are."