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Geldof and other stars to back bomb civil action funds drive
By David Killen

SIR BOB GELDOF has been brought in to help boost efforts of relatives of some of those who died in the Omagh bombing to raise funds for legal action against those they believe were guilty of the atrocity.
The former 'Boomtown Rat', who helped mastermind the Live Aid concert and fundraising for starving people in Africa, was one of a number of top names unveiled yesterday (Wednesday) in London.
The families need at least £2 million to mount the legal challenge. They have already raised about 600,000, but the balance needs to be in place before writs can be served. The law requires that the writs should be served within four years of the incident, giving a deadline of August of this year.
Geldof was joined by other top names at a function in the Irish Club at Eton Square in London yesterday afternoon.
Peter Mandelson, the former Northern Ireland Secretary of State, and David Trimble, the First Minister, were among those present. Maeve Binchey, the leading Irish author, sent a letter of support,
Geldof received an honorary knighthood for his work with Live Aid. Speaking before the event he said; "What happened in Omagh was the UK's equivalent of what happened in America on September 11."
He added: "Raising the money to fight this legal action must be a moral imperative for all of us.
"If the Omagh relatives fail in court with this campaign that is one thing, and the verdict of the court will have to be accepted, for better or worse. If they fail because of apathy and lack of money and generosity, it will be nothing short of a national scandal for both Britain and Ireland.
New impetus
Speaking to the Tyrone Constitution before he set off for the London event, Mr. Michael Gallagher, said the families hoped that a high profile person would help give the appeal a new impetus.
"He obviously has a lot of contacts and can open a lot of doors for us," Mr. Gallagher said.
He said the latest developments came at a critical time for the fundraising effort.
"His stamp of approval will really make the difference," Mr. Gallagher added.