OMAGH LEGAL FUND IN CRISIS
Omagh legal fund in crisis
By CIARAN McGUIGAN
A CIVIL action launched by families of Omagh bomb victims is in danger of collapsing, as the campaigners' legal fund dries up.
The cost of taking six alleged leaders of the Real IRA to civil court is expected to be in the region of �1m.
But the families' legal fund - which gained backing from famous figures including Sir Bob Geldoff and Peter Mandelson - is falling almost �500,000 short.
And, one month short of the fifth anniversary of the atrocity, that killed 29 people and unborn twins and maimed hundreds more, the victims' relatives appealed for financial help, to fight their legal battle.
Representatives of the Omagh Legal Fund have approached a number of potential financiers, who they hope will put up the cash to bring alleged Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt, and five other men served with writs, before the courts.
And Victor Barker, whose son James was killed by the bomb, is hopeful the legal action will be ready to proceed shortly after the completion of Michael McKevitt's trial in Dublin.
He said: "We are still working on approaching people who may be prepared to make a substantial contribution, and we are hoping to proceed as soon after the McKevitt trial as possible. We have to be optimistic.
"What galls me is that we cannot get any assistance from the state, despite the lack of a criminal prosecution, and yet some of them have received legal aid."
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed by the bomb, said the legal fight was needed, to send a message to the terrorists.
He told Sunday Life: "We knew it was always going to be difficult. There are so many demands on people these days, and there are so many causes out there.
"But we continue to remind people that it is not about just Omagh, but sending a strong message to people who go out to murder people and wage war on civilians.
"We need to show these people that we are determined to bring the perpetrators before the courts."
The families had hoped a television drama highlighting the August 1998 atrocity may have helped to gain backing for their legal campaign.
But the film, made by Bloody Sunday maker Paul Greengrass, is not expected to be broadcast until late next year.
By CIARAN McGUIGAN
A CIVIL action launched by families of Omagh bomb victims is in danger of collapsing, as the campaigners' legal fund dries up.
The cost of taking six alleged leaders of the Real IRA to civil court is expected to be in the region of �1m.
But the families' legal fund - which gained backing from famous figures including Sir Bob Geldoff and Peter Mandelson - is falling almost �500,000 short.
And, one month short of the fifth anniversary of the atrocity, that killed 29 people and unborn twins and maimed hundreds more, the victims' relatives appealed for financial help, to fight their legal battle.
Representatives of the Omagh Legal Fund have approached a number of potential financiers, who they hope will put up the cash to bring alleged Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt, and five other men served with writs, before the courts.
And Victor Barker, whose son James was killed by the bomb, is hopeful the legal action will be ready to proceed shortly after the completion of Michael McKevitt's trial in Dublin.
He said: "We are still working on approaching people who may be prepared to make a substantial contribution, and we are hoping to proceed as soon after the McKevitt trial as possible. We have to be optimistic.
"What galls me is that we cannot get any assistance from the state, despite the lack of a criminal prosecution, and yet some of them have received legal aid."
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed by the bomb, said the legal fight was needed, to send a message to the terrorists.
He told Sunday Life: "We knew it was always going to be difficult. There are so many demands on people these days, and there are so many causes out there.
"But we continue to remind people that it is not about just Omagh, but sending a strong message to people who go out to murder people and wage war on civilians.
"We need to show these people that we are determined to bring the perpetrators before the courts."
The families had hoped a television drama highlighting the August 1998 atrocity may have helped to gain backing for their legal campaign.
But the film, made by Bloody Sunday maker Paul Greengrass, is not expected to be broadcast until late next year.
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/152
Published Date: 06-Jul-03
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