MCKEVITT TRANSCRIPTS TO BE RELEASED
McKevitt transcripts to be released
EXCLUSIVE
By SINEAD McCAVANA
TRANSCRIPTS from jailed Real IRA boss Michael McKevitt's trial WILL now be handed over to relatives of Omagh bomb victims. Irish Justice Minister, Michael McDowell, made the dramatic u-turn last week, at a meeting with lawyers representing families of those killed in the 1998 atrocity.
The Irish Justice Department will come under further pressure tomorrow, when the families meet Mr McDowell, for face-to-face talks in Dublin.
They will be asking him for a copy of the controversial Nally Report, which alleges Gardai failed to pass on vital intelligence, to the RUC, about the Real IRA's plans to bomb Omagh. Michael Gallagher, whose son, Aidan, died in the bomb, said: "We want the report made public, or at the very least to give the families a copy of it. 'We want to know what the conclusion of the inquiry was. "This will be a crunch meeting for us, end our first opportunity to speak to Mr McDowell, in person." Mr Gallagher welcomed the minister's decision to give the Omagh Support and Self Help Group - of which he is a member - the McKevitt trial transcripts.
The group, which is made up of relatives of those killed, has launched a civil action against five Omagh bomb suspects.
It is believed the transcripts will help strengthen the group's case. "There is no doubt now that we're getting the transcripts," said Mr Gallagher.
"The meeting between our lawyers and the Minister, last week, went very well.
"The lawyers are engaging with the Justice Department, to work out what mechanisms are needed, in order to hand over the transcripts." But the families want more co-operation from the Justice Minister. Mr Gallagher and eight others are gearing up, to grill him on several issues, relating to the bomb investigation.
"We don't feel cross border co-operation, between the PSNI and Gardai, was as good as expected," said Mr Gallagher.
"We will also be raising the civil action writ - the British government gave us �800,000.
"We will be asking for financial assistance from the Irish government. "The Minister has already ruled this out, but even a small goodwill gesture would be significant."
EXCLUSIVE
By SINEAD McCAVANA
TRANSCRIPTS from jailed Real IRA boss Michael McKevitt's trial WILL now be handed over to relatives of Omagh bomb victims. Irish Justice Minister, Michael McDowell, made the dramatic u-turn last week, at a meeting with lawyers representing families of those killed in the 1998 atrocity.
The Irish Justice Department will come under further pressure tomorrow, when the families meet Mr McDowell, for face-to-face talks in Dublin.
They will be asking him for a copy of the controversial Nally Report, which alleges Gardai failed to pass on vital intelligence, to the RUC, about the Real IRA's plans to bomb Omagh. Michael Gallagher, whose son, Aidan, died in the bomb, said: "We want the report made public, or at the very least to give the families a copy of it. 'We want to know what the conclusion of the inquiry was. "This will be a crunch meeting for us, end our first opportunity to speak to Mr McDowell, in person." Mr Gallagher welcomed the minister's decision to give the Omagh Support and Self Help Group - of which he is a member - the McKevitt trial transcripts.
The group, which is made up of relatives of those killed, has launched a civil action against five Omagh bomb suspects.
It is believed the transcripts will help strengthen the group's case. "There is no doubt now that we're getting the transcripts," said Mr Gallagher.
"The meeting between our lawyers and the Minister, last week, went very well.
"The lawyers are engaging with the Justice Department, to work out what mechanisms are needed, in order to hand over the transcripts." But the families want more co-operation from the Justice Minister. Mr Gallagher and eight others are gearing up, to grill him on several issues, relating to the bomb investigation.
"We don't feel cross border co-operation, between the PSNI and Gardai, was as good as expected," said Mr Gallagher.
"We will also be raising the civil action writ - the British government gave us �800,000.
"We will be asking for financial assistance from the Irish government. "The Minister has already ruled this out, but even a small goodwill gesture would be significant."
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/160
Published Date: 07-Sep-03
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