OMAGH BOMB: LAST CHANCE FOR JUSTICE
OMAGH BOMB: LAST CHANCE FOR JUSTICE
BY STAFF REPORTERS
and PA
newsdesk@newsletter.co.uk
THE Omagh bombing was described as "a massacre of the innocents" yesterday as a civil action was launched against five men who the victims of the atrocity believe responsible.
Twenty-nine people died, including a mother pregnant with twins, and hundreds more were injured when the Real IRA bombed the town in August 1998.
Some of those who lost loved ones and some of those who were injured have launched the civil action following the failure of the authorities to bring anyone to justice for the bombing.
Last December Sean Hoey, a south Armagh electrician, was cleared of all charges related to the bombing and a series of other Real IRA attacks.
Opening the civil case, Lord Daniel Brennan QC said: "It is a civil claim unprecedented certainly in the UK and probably around the world.
"For the first time the victims of terrorism are suing the alleged perpetrators.
"For the first time private citizens are confronting terrorists in our courts."
He said the case would expose the workings of the Real IRA and its lies.
Lord Brennan said his case would include evidence from an FBI agent who infiltrated the Real IRA, evidence about a British sting operation and involve detailed information from both the police in Northern Ireland and the Republic.
The case is expected to run for up to eight weeks and will transfer from the High Court in Belfast to the Supreme Court in Dublin to hear evidence from police officers in the Republic.
Speaking after the hearing yesterday, Michael Gallagher, father of one of the victims, told the News Letter: "It's our last chance for any form of justice for Omagh."
Those named in the action are alleged terrorists Michael McKevitt, Colm Murphy, Liam Campbell as well as Seamus McKenna and Seamus Daly.
All five are from the Republic and at the time of the bombing lived in or around Dundalk, Co Louth.
McKevitt, 58, allegedly the leader of the Real IRA, is currently awaiting a judgment in an appeal against a conviction in the Republic for directing terrorism.
Campbell, 43, has been held in Portlaoise prison in the Republic on terrorism charges unconnected with the Omagh bombing.
Murphy, 56, was sentenced to 14 years in prison in the Republic in January 2002 for conspiracy to cause the Omagh explosion, but the conviction was overturned on appeal and he is awaiting a retrial.
All five men deny involvement in the Omagh atrocity and all but Campbell are represented at the civil hearing.
Lord Brennan said he concluded Campbell's absence was "both deliberate and considered".
Lawyers representing the four defending the action objected to Lord Brennan describing their clients as terrorists and also for listing their history of previous convictions.
Dublin barrister Michael O'Higgins SC described it as "utterly prejudicial".
However, the judge let Lord Brennan continue, pointing out that what was said in the opening of a case did not amount to fact in law.
BY STAFF REPORTERS
and PA
newsdesk@newsletter.co.uk
THE Omagh bombing was described as "a massacre of the innocents" yesterday as a civil action was launched against five men who the victims of the atrocity believe responsible.
Twenty-nine people died, including a mother pregnant with twins, and hundreds more were injured when the Real IRA bombed the town in August 1998.
Some of those who lost loved ones and some of those who were injured have launched the civil action following the failure of the authorities to bring anyone to justice for the bombing.
Last December Sean Hoey, a south Armagh electrician, was cleared of all charges related to the bombing and a series of other Real IRA attacks.
Opening the civil case, Lord Daniel Brennan QC said: "It is a civil claim unprecedented certainly in the UK and probably around the world.
"For the first time the victims of terrorism are suing the alleged perpetrators.
"For the first time private citizens are confronting terrorists in our courts."
He said the case would expose the workings of the Real IRA and its lies.
Lord Brennan said his case would include evidence from an FBI agent who infiltrated the Real IRA, evidence about a British sting operation and involve detailed information from both the police in Northern Ireland and the Republic.
The case is expected to run for up to eight weeks and will transfer from the High Court in Belfast to the Supreme Court in Dublin to hear evidence from police officers in the Republic.
Speaking after the hearing yesterday, Michael Gallagher, father of one of the victims, told the News Letter: "It's our last chance for any form of justice for Omagh."
Those named in the action are alleged terrorists Michael McKevitt, Colm Murphy, Liam Campbell as well as Seamus McKenna and Seamus Daly.
All five are from the Republic and at the time of the bombing lived in or around Dundalk, Co Louth.
McKevitt, 58, allegedly the leader of the Real IRA, is currently awaiting a judgment in an appeal against a conviction in the Republic for directing terrorism.
Campbell, 43, has been held in Portlaoise prison in the Republic on terrorism charges unconnected with the Omagh bombing.
Murphy, 56, was sentenced to 14 years in prison in the Republic in January 2002 for conspiracy to cause the Omagh explosion, but the conviction was overturned on appeal and he is awaiting a retrial.
All five men deny involvement in the Omagh atrocity and all but Campbell are represented at the civil hearing.
Lord Brennan said he concluded Campbell's absence was "both deliberate and considered".
Lawyers representing the four defending the action objected to Lord Brennan describing their clients as terrorists and also for listing their history of previous convictions.
Dublin barrister Michael O'Higgins SC described it as "utterly prejudicial".
However, the judge let Lord Brennan continue, pointing out that what was said in the opening of a case did not amount to fact in law.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/740
Published Date: 08-Apr-08
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