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Relatives launch bid for Justice
By Alan Irwin
PA News

RELATIVES of the Omagh bombing victims yesterday formally launched their bid for justice against those they believe are responsible for atrocity. Families of some of the 29 people who died in the 1998 outrage attended the official launch of then-historic bid to sue the terror group, the Real IRA, and five men allegedly linked to it. Jason McCue, the families' lawyer, urged the public to provide more help.
And he said that further legal action might be launched against the dissident republican group in the future.
Civil writs seeking compensation have been issued at the Northern Ireland High Court in Belfast.
And yesterday, Mr McCue, of the London-based legal firm, H2O, writs served against the five, as an attempt to make the real IRA accountable.
Appealing for more assistance in the campaign, he said: "Further admissible evidence, in particular from the general public may well expand this action. This is the beginning."
The claim for compensation comes just days ahead of the three-year deadline for launching such an action in relation to the August 15,1998 car bomb attack on the Co Tyrone town. Several relatives gathered in pouring rain at Market Street where the explosion occurred, to launch their campaign. Laurence Rush, whose wife Elizabeth was among those killed, said the Omagh victims Legal Trust needed £1 million to finance - the case. But he insisted: "Today's action is about justice, not about politics or religion and certainly not about money."
In a direct challenge to the men named on the court papers he added: "By issuing a legal writ we have given the defendants an opportunity to answer our questions in the court of law, the proper forum for the matter to be decided.
"For the first time as members of the public (you) have a unique opportunity to play your part in helping us in our search for justice.
"By donating to the fighting fund you will enable us to continue in our quest for justice."
The writs have been issued against the so-called Real IRA and five men. They are:
Seamus McKenna, of Silverbridge, Newry.
John Michael Henry McKevitt, Blackrock, Dundalk.
Liam Campbell, Mount Pleasant, Dundalk.
Michael Colm Murphy, Ravensdale, Dundalk.
Seamus Daly, Culloville, Co Monaghan.